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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




BURR BROTHERS, 

114 Nassau Street, 

P.O. Box 436. 





New York, A^ "^"^z ' ^^^ 

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Dr. Alcximdor Aiulm'Bon at the age of luuety-two. 



LIFE AND WORKS 



Alcxaxorr AxniiRSox, M.D., 



i'lRST AMERICAN woui) i:.\(;ra\ i;k. 



FRBDURIC M. BURR, A.M., 
{Aft'iit/ft'r of .W-Ti' York llistorual Socie/y.) 



TIIKEI-: I'ORTRAirS OF DR. A.VDERSOA; .I.VD OIEK rilIRT\ 
HXCRAIIKGS liV HI MSIil.l-. 



Ni;W YORK 

BURR BROTH HRS 
1895. 



Ma^ .83 189.3 



^\^ 



Only. . 7. A^V. . ..copies oj this work 
have been printed. 

Tills copy ii No. . .7.^ 



COPYRIGHT 
Bv FREDERIC M. BURR 

189?. 



^ 



/ 







From **The Looking Ulaas for tlic Mitul.'" One of Dr. Aiulcreon'e earliest \vood*cuts. 



PREFACE. 



/F 



A DisTrNGUiSHED aiithoi' has said that illustration 
stands second only to printing as a means of civili- 
zation. We should therefore i-egard the men who 
place the beauties of ai't within the reach of the 
multitude as most important factors in the improve- 
ment of the world. In this work the Father of 
American Wood-Engraving took a prominent part, 
accomplishing for liis native country what Bewick 
liad already done for England. 

The opportunities for studying the life and char- 
acter of this interesting man have been very limit- 
ed, as the only information generally accessible was 



IV PREFACE. 

contained in a Memorial written by Beu.son J. 
Lossing, the historian, and read before the New 
York Historical Society in 1870. This was printed 
for the snbscribers and had a small circulation. In 
addition several fugitive articles have appeared in 
difterent periodicals, and the " History of American 
Wood-Engraving" contains a brief account of its 
founder. 

In preparing the present work, the author has 
carefully studied the existing material, and lias 
made numerous extracts from the Diaiy of Dr. 
Anderson for the years 1 795-1 79.S. These extracts 
are particularly interesting as throwing a side light 
on the details of an uneventful but worthy and use- 
ful career. 

The illustrations, nearly forty in number, have 
been selected as showing his progress in the art 
from his earliest wood-cuts foi' " The Looking Glass 
for the Mind" to his own portrait, engraved in liis 
best style in his eighty-first yeai'. 

Thanks ai'e due to the many kind friends who 
have given their advice and assistance, and the 
author gladly takes this opportunity of acknowledg- 
ing his special oljligation to the following gentle- 
men : To Mr. George H. Baker, Librarian of Co- 
lumbia College, for the unrestricted use of Dr. An- 



PREFACE. V 

derson's Diary, uo\y preserved in manuscript iu the 
l^liiriiix Collection ; to ]\rr. ^^'illia^n Kell)y, Libra- 
rian III" the New ^'(iik Historical Society, for much 
valuable intbrmatiiiu, .iinl to Mi'. W. W. Pasko of 
" Tiie Typotheta>." F. iM. B. 

New Yokk, Mtuvh, ls«)H. 




l''ri)ni •• Tlio Looking Glass for.llie Miiul." Dm; of Dr. .Smlersoirs earliest wood-ciUs. 



CONTENTS. 



('iiAi''i'Hi; I. 

r.\*;K 

CiiiLiiiiooii AND Youth i;5 

CHAPTER II. 

E.viii.Y Mkdk'ai, Studies 19 

(ilAPTEl! 111. 
FiusT Enckavincs ()\ Wool) 30 

I'UAl'TEi; l\. 
Till-: KiMDEMic OF 1705 37 

C'lIAI'TKi; V. 
Iliti Makuiage and Eaklv Sokuow 45 

(ilAITKi; VI. 
Established as ax KN(ii;AVEit 5G 

CirAITKi; VII. 
Closing Yeaus ok his Life (i4 

APPENDI.X A. 

Ai'Tor.iotwtAi'Hv OF Dii. Andi:hson 70 

APPENDI.X B. 
Extracts FiioM Dit. Ani)hi!sox"s Diaiiv idi; iiii'; ^■EAKS 
1795-1708 n:i 



ILLUSTUATlOWti. 



I'AGE 

PouTHAiT OK Dr. Andkuson at the age of ntnety-two, 

DKAWN BY AUCiUST Wll-L AND ENGUAVED BY ELIAS J. WlIIT- 

NEY Frontispiece. 

IlJ.USTUATION FnOM " TlIE LoOKINll Gl.ASS FOR THE MiNI)" iii 

Another Ilhsthatio.n from " The Looking Glass for the 

Mind" v 

Title-Page from " The Life of Benjamin Franklln" 15 

Death's Pulpit, drawn and engraved by Dr. Anderson 21 

IIoiA Family, DiiA\VN and encuavkd my Dr. Anderson. . 21 

A Deer, an early engraving by Dr. Anderson 33 

Poutr.^it of Benjamin Franklin 39 

Cottage Scene, AN EARLY engraving by Dr. Anderson 44 

Illustration from " The Like of Benjamin Franklin" 47 

Cottage Scene, an early engraving by Dr. Anderson 51 

Shepherd Dog, an early engraving by Dr. Anderson -55 

Fac-simile ok a page krom " The Illustrated Primer" 59 

Group of Sheep, an early engraving by Dr. Anderson 65 

Engr.wing Tools used by Dr. Anderson ; kkcim a piioto- 

GR.\PH ^1 

An Early Engraving by Dr. Anderson "4 

Boating Scene, an early engraving by Dr. Anderson 75 

Portrait of Dr. Anderson at the age of korty-four, 

DRAWN BY BrOWEKE 81 

Boy and Swan, an eauly engraving by Dr. Anderson 87 

An Early Engraving hy Dr. Anderson 90 

Illustration from " The Life of Benjamin Franklin" 97 

Country Scene, .\n early engraving by Dr. Anderson 103 



X ILLUSTRATIONS. 

PAGE 

" A Lovek's Complaint," as eari.v enguaving \:\ Du. Andku- 

80N 109 

Cat and Mouse, an early engraving hy Dr. Anderson 117 

Illustration erom " The Liee ok Benjamin Franklin" 125 

An Early Engraving by Dk. Anderson 131 

Rural Scene, an early engraving by Dr. Anderson 135 

King Lear, from Messrs. Cooledge & Brother's edition of 

Shakespeare 145 

Garden Scene, an early engraving by Dr. Anderson 153 

Illustration from " The Life of Ben.iamin Franklin" 101 

Portrait of Dr. Anderson, engraved by himself in his 

eighty-first year 1()9 

A Happy Family, an early engraving by Dr. Anderson 173 

Rural Scene, an early engraving by Dr. Anderson 181 

Two lLLU.STR.VnONS FROM THE OlD TESTAMENT 189 

Country Scene, an early engraving by Dr. Anderson 197 

The Widow and Orphans, an early engraving by Dr. An- 
derson 210 



Wtt/i fke excfplion. of the Froiifisiii€ce,tht half-tone picture of the eiigrav'mf/ toola on 
pat/e li^ and the portrait oil page aiy the ilhuitrationa in this volume were all engraved 
bij Dr. Anderson. 



LIFE AND WORKS 



OF 



ALEXANDER ANDEHSOJN, M.l). 



LIFE AND WORKS 



OF 



ALEXANDER ANDERSON, M.D. 



CHAPTER I. 

CIlILllIlixiI) AM) YiHTII. 

Alexander Anderson was )n>n\ in New" York, 
April LMst, 1775, in an luinil)le aliode near Beek- 
mau's Sli]). Ilis father, a Scotclinian, was thorough- 
ly inil)iie(l with repul)lican principles, which he ex- 
pressed so l)<)klly in a paper published ])y himself, 
entitled " The Constitutional Gazette," that he soon 
became famous as "John Anderson, the rebel 
printer." His fearless utterances were highly ob- 
noxious to the reigning powei', and, as the strife 
grew more bitter, he decided that discretion was 
the better pait of valor, and made preparations for 
fliglit. 

He succeeded in ivacliiiiu' F<iit Washington 
(^now Washington Heights^, with all his household 



14 ALKXANDER ANDEIISON, ALD. 

possessions ;" but there bis wagons aiul the greater 
part of las effects were confiscated for the public 
service l)y the American forces. At last, after 
many trials, he reached Gi'eenwich, Conn., and 
just in time, for his slender store, in the paper 
money that was even then rapidly depreciating, was 
almost exhaiisted. His family found a refuge with 
kind fi'icuds, while he made himself useful as cap- 
tain of the " alarm list" on the debatable groxmd. 
After tlie war he I'eturned to New York, and final- 
ly settled down to tiie business of an auctioneer. 

Young Alexander at a veiy early age showed a 
fondness for that art to whicli he was destined to 
devote his life. During the long winter evenings 
he would (IraAV his stool close to the crackling logs 
upon the wide hearth, and gaze with mingled feel- 
ings of curiosity and disgust upon the roughly exe- 
cuted Dutch tiles that surrounded the fireplace. He 
felt instinctively that they were l)adly drawn, and 
as he studied the unt-outh forms half revealed l)y 
the flickering light, the correct ])i'inciples of design 
began slowly to dawn upon him. 

Sometimes his mother, to help while away the 
time, would draw faces and fiowers, using indigo 
dissolved in water in lieu of ink. A few type-met- 
al ornaments saved from the printing oftice helped 



?\ * -Mm.. 





From "The Life of Brnjiiiniii Franklin," i'ni:ravwl by Dr. Amlcrffon for 
Mesere. Cooludge & Brotlu-r. about KS4H. 



CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH. 17 

still I'lirtlitT to stiimilatc liis natural heut. In 
speaking of tliat i)en(Kl, in after life, lie said to a 
fi'iend : " I recolleet being allowed an occasional 
pee]> at a considerable pile of pi'ints, such as weiv 
issued from the London shops, among which were 
Hogarth's illusti'ations of the careers of the LUe 
and Industrious AiypreuUees, which made a strong 
impression upon my mind. These prints detei-- 
niinod my destiny." We can imagine the eager 
l)oy bending ovei- these masterpieces, and following 
out each line and curve, with the close attention of 
the true artist. 

He was not content, howevei-, with merely study- 
ing the pictures to which he had access, but often 
amused himself by coj)yiug them, employing for 
that purpose a Inrush and India ink, and faithfully 
rej)roduciug every line. He was ignorant of the 
means employed in making the engravings, and it 
was only through the kindness of a schoolmate, 
who had seen a description of it in Chambers's 
Cyclopedia, that he learned the jirocess of produc- 
tion. He iiiuiiediately carried some large copper 
pennies to a silversmith, and had them rolled into 
thin plates, upon which he made his first engrav- 
ings, using as a graver the back-spring of a pocket- 
knife ground to a sharp point. He was then only 



18 ALEXANDER ANDERSON, M.D. 

twelve years of age, Imt already showed that seri- 
ous disposition and earnest application to woi'k for 
which he was afterward noted. At school he was 
a diligent student, and attained to some proficiency 
in the study of Greek and Latin. 

He was so anxious to see the effect of his first 
plate, a head of Paul Jones, that he constructed a 
rude roller-press in the gaiTet of his fatlier's house, 
and secured an impression in red oil paint. 

What a trying moment it must have been for the 
young enthusiast ! With trembling hand he care- 
fully fills the lines of the plate with oil paint (the 
only material he can obtain) ; then lays the paper, 
slightly dampened, upon it, and, last of all, applies 
the cumbrous roller. Will the experiment suc- 
ceed ? It must succeed, for he feels that his whole 
future depends upon it. He renKwes the roller, 
raises the papei-, and sees with rapture his first 
print. 

He afterward hired a blacksmith to make him 
better tools, and Avith these cut a number of small 
pictures of houses and ships on type-metal, which 
he disposed of in the newspaper ofiices. The pay 
was small, but as only one other person was en- 
o-aged in the same work in New York, he began to 
feel " of some consequence." 



CI I APT Ell II. 

EAIM.V MKDICAI, STi:|)IKS. 

Ills f'atlier, liaviiiLi,' obstMved tliat lie took great 
pleasure in stiulyiin;- and copying the illustrations 
of some medical woiks, determined to educate him 
for the pi'ofessiitn nf medicine, as he had no confi- 
dence in the success of his ai'tistic aspirations. 
Alexander left his woikshop under the eaves soon 
after his fourteenth Mithday, and entered as a 
student the office of Dr. Joseph Young, who had 
been a surgeon in the Continental army, and was a 
l>rother-iii-hi\v of (ieneral Schuyler. 

The young engraxci' had taken this step with 
great I'eluctance at his father's command ; but he 
found T)r. ^'ouIlg so luiiformly kind and [)leasant 
that he soon ceased to re[)ine at the change, and 
applied himself diligently to his work. For the 
ne.\t live \ears both mind and body were busily 
employed. At that period medical men combined 
till' duties of thcii- profession with the occupations 
of the a[)othecary, and tlie young student was fre- 
quently called upon to add the labors of a porter to 



30 ALEXANDER ANDERSON, M.D. 

those of a rlerk, delivering tlie medicines he had 
already compounded. 

Notwithstanding his many cares, he did not 
entirely abandon his favorite pursnit, and in the 
intervals of study diligently })lied his graver, becom- 
ing so proficient in cutting initial letters that he 
was fre(|uently enijdoyed for that purj)ose by othei' 
engravers before he was eighteen years old. I n < )rder 
to take advantage of every spare moment, he was 
accustomed to carry his tools in his j)ocket, together 
with any l)lock upon which he happened to be 
engaged. This practice was continued until he fell 
downstairs one day, and w^as severely injured by 
the sharp point of the graver. The recomjjense for 
his art labors was small, but it was sufficient to keep 
him decently clothed and to pay for several courses 
of medical lectures. 

During this period he used his pen as well as his 
pencil, and in 17'.*."> his first composition in print ap- 
peared, l)eing "An Authentic, Surprising, and Won- 
derful Account of the ITnaccountable Old Man in 
the Highlands of Harlem Flats." He speaks slight- 
ingly of this perfoi'uiance, and it is pr<ibalile it was 
a \"ery crude effort. 

It was al)out this same time that he seems to have 
felt the first stiri'ings of the "divine passion." (Jne 




" Dciilh'ts Piilpil." ilniuii and inmavrd by Dr. Aiifli'ison. 
after a jniiit li_v Van Wiiiic. 



KAi:[,V MKDICAI, STI'DTKS. 23 

(lay when hv was walkiiiL,^ on the IJattt^iy w itli liis 
lnotlicr and cousin lie espied a heantiful youni;- 
vvonuui, a i\Liss Ilall, sfrolling along the crowded 
walks in com[)any with an ac(jiiaintani'f, whom he 
speaks of as IJorrowe, a sailinakei'. Her pleasiny 
features and graceful niaiuiers made a strong impres- 
sion on liis susceptible iieart — always I'esponsive to 
female ohaiius; and he made the following entry in 
his diaiy for that date: '' I was irresistibly attracted 
toward her — iiTesistibly do I say ;' I laughed at 
myself and began to think 1 must ])ut an end to 
these feelings and not endeavor to persuade myself 
I was in love. Imploi'ed divine pi'otection and guid- 
ance." He appeals to have been successful in his 
etfoi'ts, for we liear no more of the charming Miss 
Hall. 

In the midst of his nunieious a\"ocations he found 
time for long strolls in thecounti'y with his l)rotliei-, 
a young law student ; and lie speaks of shooting 
snipe at Corlear's Hook, now the loot of (irand 
Street and East Kivei'. Amiable and generous in 
his disposition, he devoted much of his leisure to 
attending the poor and giving medical assistance to 
his friends. Essentially gregarious in his character, 
an<l re(piiring congenial companioiishij) to devido]) 
his faculties to tin- utmost, he also possessed an 



24 ALEXANDEi; AXDERSON, M.D. 

eauev and iictive iiiiiid, ;ui<l liis icadiii''- extended 
over a wide i-an^c of .snlijeets, including, among 
otliers, Medicine, Surgery, Clieniistry, Natural Plii- 
loso])h_y, Natural Ilistoi-y, Theology, Biography, 
History, Travels, General Sciences, Belles-lettres, 
Meclianics, and Fiction. Ih^ was exceedingly fond 
of music, and played daily on the violin, in which 
accomplishment he seems to have had considerable 
skill. 

Although liarely eighteen he was serious and 
earnest in his mannci', and even his annisements 
were not of a frivolous chai'acter. I)ee[dy attached 
to a tiuly religious mother, who had early imlmed 
him with a love foi' everything tliat was good and 
pui'e, he set himself a standard at the very outset 
of his career from which he never deviated. 

His tilial devotion is shown by numerous entries 
in his diai'v, and it was evidently a heartfelt 
j)leasure t'oi- him to accom[iany his mother in her 
walks and diivcs or in visits to friends. He gives 
an amusing account, under date of June 25th, I 7'.I4, 
of his first experience of the new delicacy, ice-cream, 
which is said to li;ive been made for the first time in 
New Yoi'k ]>\ a Frenchman during this very yeai-. 
He speaks of it as follow s ; " I proposed to mamma to 
walk to Corre's {uf 'J 1 >Skih' tStm't) to take a glass 



EARLY MEDICAL STI-DIES. 25 

of iee-cie;iiii by wuy of ('.\|)t!iiiiKMit. She assented, 
;ni(l I saw the pleasui-c this mark of attention gave 
her. W e e;wli took a ghxss (l.s. cacli), ami found it 
a very (U'licious lefreshmeut for warm weather. 
AVhile we were tliere some Freneli officers came 
eajieriug in upon the same errand. Mamma was 
mueh diverted at liearins: one of them exclaim that 
it was 'good for Hell.' CornVs phicc was called the 
' ice-house.' " 

In 17'.'-!, when he was nineteen, he designed and 
enm'aved a commencement ticket for (/oluml)ia 
College, and from this time on was regularly em- 
[)loyed both with his pencil and gi-avei'. That he 
did not neglect his medical studies, howevei-, for the 
more fascinating work of engraving, is sufficiently 
shown by the fact that Di'. Young offered to make 
him a partner immediately after he ol^tained his 
license, in 1795, although he had only just passed 
his twentieth birthday. 

The formalities attending- the ifrantinof of this 

o rri o 

license are described bv Andei'son in his diar}' for 
April, 1795: 

'' Ai)ril Nth. I callctl upon the Mayor and ex- 
pressed my wish to undei'go an tsxamination foi- the 
pi'actiee of IMiysic. — lie directed me to ap])ly to 
Jud!2;e Benson — I t'ound iiim out. 



26 ALEXANDKIt ANOKKSdN, M.D. 

" "J. I called ujHiu Judge Beu8i>ii who referred me 
to Judge Yates. Saw Judge Yates, Avho promised 
to ajipoiut an Exauiination. 

" 1:5. 1 called upon Judge Yates. — lie appointed 
for my E.xaminei's Dr. Bard, Dr. Rogers, Dr. Treat 
or in liis place Dr. Smith. I set oft' immediately in 
the rain to notify them. Dr. Hard dissuaded me 
from it, and objected to my youth. — This damped 
my spirits — but I was determined to go thi-ougli 
with the business. Dr. liogei's ga\ e me a more 
favorable reception. — Dr. Smith thought it would 
be improper for him to attend. — I theivfore call'd 
u[»on Di'. Treat in tlie evening — he excus'd hiuiself. 
I bespoke a room at Simmons's Tavern. 

'• 14. At 4, went with a [lalpitating heait to 
Simmous's. — The Physicians arrived, but as the 
Court was sitting no magistrate could attend except 
Judge Yates. — Some doubts ai'ose respecting the 
law. — The Judge went to the Mayors and discover- 
iug that the presence of 2 magistrates, at least, was 
indispensable — postpon'd the Examination 'till 
to-nioi'idw afternoon. The agitation of my mind 
brought on a degiee of fever whicii continued the 
i-cmaiuder of the day. 

"15. Arrived at Simnious's a few minutes after 
4. Underwent an Kxamination of an hour's length 




"Iloly Kamily." (iniuii ami «-iiura\fil hy Dr. Aiulcrsoii. 



EARLT MEDICAL STUDIES. 29 

by Drs. Bard, Rogers ife Nicoll. — After this I was 
desired to withdraw. 

" 16. Called at Siiiinions's A: paid the expenses of 
yesterday afternoon 2(),s\ — Fmin that I went to tlio 
Judge's lodging but he was out. — 1 met hiui after- 
wards in the street tt was informed that the 
Physicians had given a favorable report & the only 
objection to giving me a License was my non-age ; 
the matter would be decided next week. 

"21. Tliis day completes my 20th year — I have 
£'2U laid u]) — besides debts standing out — 

" 2S. I called upon Judge Yates, who informed 
me that I might make out my Patent. — I went to 
Mr. Hertell's & <jot the form of it — from that to 
a Pai'climeiit maker t^' got a skin. — After dinnt-i' 
I finished it in German text. 

" 2!). T got Judge Yate's hand aud seal to my 
Certiticate tt afterwai-ds left it with the Attorney 
General. 

" 80. Called upon Mr. Lawrence, who promised to 
leave my license at my abode." 



CHAPTER III. 

FIRST ENGllAVIXGS ON WOOD. 

Anderson (leolined the friendly proposition of 
Dr. Young, lieing unwilling to bind himself to the 
profession. He continued to practise, however, and 
his time was fully occupied. While visiting his 
patients and giving them the best of cai'e, lie still 
found leisui'e to engrave, making illustrations both 
on copjier and type-metal for all the jirincipal pub- 
lishei's in New York. 

In 1792 he had been employed, in company with 
C. Tiebout, Tisdale, Kollinson, J. Allen, A. Doolittle 
of New Haven, and B. Tannei-, to engi-ave on copper 
the illustrations for an edition of Maynard's Josephus, 
the most important illustrated work that had yet 
been jjublished in New York. Anderson was the 
youngest of these engravers, l)eiug at that time only 
seventeen. 

He aj)])ears to have used wood for the first time 
in 17!);^', when he cut a toljacco stamp on that ma- 
terial. Shortly after he was engaged l)y S. Camp- 



FIRST ENGKAVINGS ON WOOD. 31 

l>ell, a New York bookseller, to engrave one hun- 
dred geometrical figures on wood, for eacli of whieli 
lie was to receive fifty cents. Campbell furnished 
the wood, which was obtained from a maker of car- 
penters' tools, at the cost of four cents a block. He 
found that box-wood was very expensive, and at- 
tempted to use the wood of the pear-tree in its 
place ; but soon pei'ceived it was not suited for fine 
work, and returned to the better if more expensive 
medium. 

Moi-e than a year elapsed l)efore he ventured to 
use the new material for his more important engrav- 
ings. He tells us in his diaiy how often he was 
discouraged by finding cracks in the box-wood, but 
he persevered, seeing how much l)etter adapted it 
was to the purpose than tyj)e-metal ; and finally, in 
Septembei', \19-i, he decided to engrave a number 
of cuts on wood for an edition of " The Looking 
Glass for the Mind," which was being published by 
William Durell. He had conunenced the series on 
type-metal, but was not satisfied with the results, 
and it was not long after his successful experiment 
with wood 1>efore he entirely al)andoned the use of 
the former material. 

Such was the begiiniing of wood -engraving in 
this counti'y. A poor medical student, with rude 



32 ALEXANDER ANDERSON, M.D. 

tools, niannfactured by an ordinary blacksmith, 
sustained only by his native genius, and Init scantily 
renuinerated, laid, in the face of the greatest diffi- 
culties, the foundations of the art that now occupies 
so prominent a position in the amusement and in- 
struction of millions. 

In February of ITOS, Anderson began a series of 
ilhistrations for " Wel)ster's Spelling Book," which 
Bunce tfe Co. were on the point of issuing. Of this 
work, it is said by Mr. Lossing, over 50,000,000 
copies have been sold containing the original illus- 
trations. Latei- in this same year Andei'son seems 
to have liad his fii'st view of Bewick's illustraticjns, 
and he speaks of buying, on August 21st, " a History 
of Quadrupeds, with elegant wooden cuts for 
2Hs." 

He was fond of scril)l)ling poetry as a relaxation, 
generally putting it in the form of a satirical or 
gossipy letter to some friend. An example of his 
style is found in liis diary for 1 7!'5, and is descrijitive 
of a journey to Kockawa}', wliit-h h;ul not yet ac- 
(piired its present popnlai'ity, and was conse(piently 
reasonable in its charges, his expenses for two days 
and a half lieing two dollars and a tjuarter. The 
letter was addressed to his mothei', and ran as fol- 
lows : 




% 



FIRST KNGKAVINOS ON WOOD. 35 

" IfoCKAWAV, July Otll. 

My dear luaiiinia, and so fortli, 3011 
No doubt expect as otliors do 
From absent folks, a line or two 
Of their all'airs and f'ii'eiimstaiiccs. 
Health, situation ami Finances. 
Of what adventures on the way. 
And how contrive to spend the ilay. 
Of these I'll give a trite detail 
If KecoHoction does not fad. — 
ily dinner eook'd and eat in haste, 
By one o'clock the ferry pass'd, 
Behold me at Aunt Carpendcr's — 
Must eat to dissipate her fears. 
At two the wagon hastens on. 
I sit as grand as Gilpin John, 
In sole possession of the Vehicle 
Except a lad the steeds to tickle. 
At fam'd Jamaica we arrive 
Somewhat about the hour of five. 
'Die horses and myself half famished 
Were now at Public house replenished. 
Our course rcsuniM, the carriage roves 
O'er smoother roads, thro' shady groves. 
And e'er the Sun had dijip'd his head 
Quite sciss-ing hot in 's wat'ry bed 
That just before the close of day 
We find ourselves at Rockaway. 
We stop at N'anderbilt's, and tlici'c 
Methiuks I snutt' a purer air. 
Enquiries made of this and that. 
And how and where, and who and what. 
The time declar'd of my sojourning 
And ckc the day of my returning. 
\\\ cai'lv lied I simuht. and there 



36 ALEXANDER ANDERSON, M.D. 

In Lethe's stream forgot all care. 

And now another morn apjDears. 

1 rise betimes and rub my ears — 

My eyes I mean— and straight otT-hand 

I bend my conrse toward the strand. 

With vast surprise Old Ocean saw 

Obedient to his Maker's law : 

(A lesson this to you and me. 

We've Laws to 'l)ey as well as he). 

But Sea-ships and such things I tell ye 

Can never fill a hungry lielly. 

Well — iuinger does my steps recall 

— But why ilo 1 vour patience maul — 

Now mental food is requisite 

As well as corporal, is n't it ? 

To overhaul tlie l^ibrary 

Permission had, I there espy 

'The lleidclbergian Oatecliism' 

' A Book of Hymns t'exoite Devotion' — 

And lastly ' Scott on Klocution' — 

A violin pi'iicui'"d, I play 

As well as Orpheus, any day — 

For ])roof — tlie Negroes near me lurk 

And listen when they ought to work. 

But stop I my muse, and quit your caper, 

I fear you will run off the paper 

Your Son alfectionate ('till Death 
Shall knock us down and stop our breath) 
Has scratch'd these lines, and when he's done 
Subscribes himself 

A. Anderson. 



CIIAITEH IV. 

TIIK KriDKMIC OK 179;"). 

In 1795 tlie yellow-tVver hroke out in New York, 
;ui(1 tlie young doctor performed hi.s work as a man 
and a pliysician noldy. He gave up bis engraving, 
and tiiok Ins ])lace as liouse surgeon at Bellevue 
Hospital, on a salary i>f t'oui' dollars a day. 

He thus speaks of his first day in his new position : 
" Aug. 24. Behold me in a new station and my 
mind in a state of confusion and perplexity. At 
1(1 O'cldck I eallM on Dr. Smith and after sitting 
near 2 iiours, stepp'd into the Chair with him 
and away we posted to Bellevue. — After instructing 
me in my duty and introducing nie to the family 
and patients, he shook me affectionately by the 
hand and departed. There are 6 patients. The 
Family consists of ^h: Fisher, the steward, and his 
wife, Old Daddy, the gardener — an old negro, a 
black nurse and two white ones. I spent the after- 
noon in putting up medicines and arranging 
matters." 

At one time there were as many as foi-ty patients 



38 ALKXANDKK ANDERSON, M.D. 

under his c;ue, iuid liis diary is i'ull of anxious 
thoughts and ho])es for tlieir recovery. Although 
less than twenty-one years old at that time, he 
showsa realizing sense of the gi'avity of Jiis position, 
and seems to have ins[)ired confidence in all who 
came in contact with him. In tlie midst of arduous 
labors lie found time to wiite stray articles for the 
magazines, among others an " Essay on Walking," 
which he lielieved would cure many disordei's. In 
the evenings he would take his violin and play old 
Scotch tunes by the hour. 

He gave so much satisfaction at Bellevue, where 
he remained neai'ly three months, that on retiring 
from that institution in the autumn, he was offered 
a place as physician to the New York Dispensary, at 
a salary of a thousand dollars. He declined the 
proffered honor, and I'eturned to his old avocations. 

His sensitive spirit shuddered at the dreadful 
responsibility resting upon the physician, and he 
was constantly thinking of the luicertainty attend- 
ing every case. Urged by his parents, he continued 
to })ractise for some }'ears, l:)ut it was always with 
reluctance, and he gladly seized the first opportunity 
to abandon an occupation repugnant to his feelings. 
He speaks of this feeling in his diary for October 
1795 : 




Finiii "The Lifr c.f IliMij:iinin Franklin." t'li^ravod by Or. AmIpimhi fur 
MLt^srs. (Niolixlgc & ISrotlKT, iibout IKIH. 



I'liK EPiDEMir OF 179n. 41 

"Sunday about '.* I went to town, found oni- 
people sitting I'ound tlie fii'e, ready for cliurcli. 1 
received a sort of rebuke for refusing to offer my- 
self as candidate for the office of pliysieian to the 
Dispensary. My brother was not beliind hand in 
enforcing arguments. The letter I received fioni 
my mother was in tlie same style. I may have 
acted iinjirndently in ivfusing it, when proposed by 
Dr. Smith, but my feelings are entirely discoixlant 
with such an einplo^-meut ; besides, the engravings 
which I have unilertaken, and my unwillingness to 
disappoint my employers had great weight with lue. 
My present employment is much against the 
grain — a sense of duty and ac(pnescence in the will 
of God are the chief motives whieh detain me 
here." 

In 179(1 Anderson took the degree of Medical 
Doetor at (lohnnbia College, choosing "Chronic 
IMania" as the suiyect of his graduating thesis. The 
doctrine contained in that essay, and then first 
promulgated in due form, has since been accepted as 
substantially eorreet. lie gives the following ac- 
count in his diary of the examination and its at- 
tendant ceremonies : 

"March 14, 17i>(>. *At three I repair'd to the Col- 
lege and ivniained in SaltonstalTs room 'till the Pro- 



42 ALEXANDEK ANDERSON, M.ll. 

fessors seut word that they were ready to examine 
me. They were Drs. Mitchill, Rogers, Hamersley Sz 
Hosack. I enter'd the room with rather more 
courage than I expected I should be able to muster, 
and was plied with questions for an hour and a 
half — being then desir'd to withdraw 1 returned to 
Saltonstall who was (puvering for his fate to-mor- 
row. — Dr. Mitchill afterwards informed me that I 
had given satisfaction, l)ut desired me as a matter 
of form to call on Dr. Bard tomorrow. — 

"April 12. I called at Dr. Hamersley 's and got 
one of the Histories of Diseases in older to com- 
ment upon it; this Ijeingthe next step in the gi'adua- 
tion business. 

"20. According to custom I presented tlie fee, £10, 
to the Dean. 

" Mav y. I dress 'd myself in Idack, and awaited 
with some dread the time for the Examination. . . . 
At 10 1 went to the College and staid with my 
companion in affliction 'till 11. The Professors, 
Trustees etc. began to assemble and among the 
rest, the Governor. We entei'ed the hall and seated 
ourselves at a table opposite the Medical Pi'ofes- 
soi's. Dr. Hosack l)egan first with me, and after 
i)uzzling me a little, ended with an encomium. Dr. 
Roo-ers next asked several questions for wliicli I 



IIIK KI'IIIKMIC OF 1795. 43 

was better prepared.- After Saltoiistall had been 
examin'd on liis Tliesis by Mitcliill and Haniersley, 
we were desired to witlidi'aw. — At our retui-n tlie 
(.atli was ivad u lii.di we severally repeated and 
s\diserilied. 'I'lie l.usiness was l)e^■lIn and eoncluded 
with prayer. The Dijilonias were Iiaude(l tons to 
procni-e tlie signatures of the Professors. 

" May -t. I went to the College tliis mornino- 
where the students, iki-., were eolleeting. About 
10 the procession was formed. Saltonstall and I 
joined it, and marched to St. Paul's with a liand of 
music. We were seated near the stage aiul attended 
the orations of the students. At :". P. M., the church 
was again opened. When the time arrivM for 
conferi'ing the degrees, my panic increased, but I 
ascended the stage and went through with the cere- 
mony with less confusion than I e.\])ected. Here I 
was dul)l>ed M. D. 

" ' //ir -finis Idlxiriiiii ' I should have said, had I 
not taken a peep into futurity. ^''^ 

"Saltonstall called niion me and we went to tlie 
Tontine Coft'ee house at eight o'clock in the evening 
to partake of the Commencement Supper. A num- 
ber of toasts were given, and I was at my wit's end 
to e\ade <b'inking to them. I thi'ew the greatest 



44 



AI.KXANDKIJ ANDKKSON, M.D. 



part of my wine over my sliouldcr or iiiidei' the 
table, and l)y that means contiivcd to diink l)ut a 
small quantity. The eom|)any l^'came noisy and 
mci'i'y." 







CHAPTEK V. 

HIS MARRIAGE AND EARLY SORROW. 

After a short trip to Baltimore, of \vliich lie 
gives an amusing account in liis diary * lie hired a 
room at 31 Liberty Street, and began the diligent 
practice of his profession, laying aside the tools of 
the engraver for those of the surgeon. His heart 
yearned for his old work, and we find him fre([uent- 
ly engraving an ornament for a friend or altering a 
picture for the publishers. In liis diary for July, 
1797, we I'ead the following entry : 

" July 1 <sth. The thoughts of Engraving have oc- 
cupied my mind today; I could not help looking 
back to the pleasures of that art, like the Israelites 
to the flesh-pots of Egypt. — I had even resolv'd to 
indulge myself now and then in engraving on wood, 
and cut several patterns for tools which I propos'd 
to have made, but the dread of being 'unstable as 
water' deterred me, and I laid by the patterns." 

He was very domestic in his character, and in 



* See Ai^pemlix B, under date of May lotli, K'JO. 



46 ALEXANDER ANDERSON, M.D. 

1707 determined to have a home of his own. Dnr- 
iug the course of liis professional duties he had be- 
come acquainted witli ;i most charming young lady, 
Ann Van Vleck, of an estimable Moravian family. 
Foi' a long time bashfulness kept him silent, but 
finally he mustered coin-age to ask the momentous 
question. The answer is best given in the young 
lover's own words. " 1 ventured to express my 
sentiments to Miss N., and at parting pre.sented her 
with a ring, and had the felicity to perceive that it 
was favorably received. The conduct of this amia- 
ble ])erson towui'ds me with 'all my imperfections 
upon my head' deserves my grdtitmle as well as 
Love while God grants me life. No romantic no- 
tions — the result of mature deliberation." This 
eulogy Avas well deserved, foi' the " amialtle per- 
son" made an excellent wife. 

Shortly after his marriage, which occurred on 
A])]il 16th, 1797, Dr. Ander.son removed to 45 Beek- 
man Street, and began housekeeping in a very mod- 
est way. Although the rent of his new home was 
only $650 a yeai', he soon found that his income 
was inadequate to meet tlie increased demands. He 
therefore decided, after serious consideration, to 
undertake tlie business of a publisher, issuing sn)all 
illustrated 1)ooks. He hired a small room for a 



MAKUIAGE AND EARLY SOUKOW. 49 

store ill Fair Sti'eet (now Fultou), and ciiiiiloyt-d a 
})oy as a clerk at a salary of two shillings a day. 
The experiment was a failure. After j)riiiting .sev- 
eral l)()(>ks, \\liich lemained on his hands, he disniiss- 
cd his youthful assistant, and sold at auction the 
stock that had accumulated — some seven thousand 
volumes. The venture had cost him aljout ^lod, 
and he realized only a trifle from the auction. 

The young doctoi' now found himself sorely 
pressed for money, and was obliged to retrench in 
every possible way. 'i'lic approach of each (piarter 
day caused him the must painful anxiety, and he 
gives explicit details in his diary of his cfloi'ts to 
obtain the needed suj)plies. lie even sent his elec- 
trical machine, on which he had been laboring many 
months, to his father's auction rooms. Feeling the 
need of a greater reduction in their expenditures, 
he finally decided to I'emove to a cheaper house, in 
Lil)erty Street, eftecting by this means a saving of 
$!'()( I in rent. 

A))out this time, early in IT'.'N, he tlrew and en- 
graved on wood a t'ull-length iiuman skeleton, 
which he enlarged from Albiiuis' Anatomy. It was 
nearly three feet in length, and would be considered 
a ci'editable piece of work even in the present ad- 
vanced state of the art. He obtained sevei'al proofs 



50 ALEXANDER ANDERSOT^, M.D. 

on a rude lever press of his own manufacture, luit 
the planks soon cracked and became worthless. 

The yellow-fever broke out with renewed vio- 
lence in 1798, and during the summer and autumn 
destroyed neai-ly every member of Andei-son's 
family. His infant son, who had been born on tlie 
5th of April, died on July 3d. This was a tei'rilde 
bloAV to his sensitive spirit; but relentless Fate had 
still worse in store for him. 

In August he solicited and obtained the positimi 
of resident physician at Belle vue Ht)S])ital. He 
there made eveiy pi'ejiaration for fighting the dread 
j^estilence, but had hardly settled to his duties 
when he was sununoned to attend his brothei', who 
had been suddenly stricken. In three days this be- 
loved I'elative hatl passed away, and Anderson, 
having placed the remains in the coffin with his own 
hands, returned to the hospital. Two days latei- 
his father was taken violently ill, and he ivsolved 
to give up his position, so as to devote his entire 
time to the eaiv of one to whom he was so deeply 
attaclied. The disease made rapid progress, and in 
two days, on September 1 2tli, his father had bi-eath- 
ed his last. 

When the grief-sti'icken son had ]ierformed 
the last offices, he hastened to visit his young 



mai;ki.\(;k, and kaim.y soukow. 53 

wife, whose health had liceii in a, [Ji-ccai'ious state 
since tlie death of iheii' infant child. She Inul 
removed to Hushwick, L(Hig Island, in liopes that 
the pniff air would revive her failini;' sti-eiie;tli. 
This hope was illusoiy ; tlie pestilence tunnd an 
easy victim in her enfeebled fiame. The ayouized 
hnsl)and recoids in his diary on Septend)er iL'th, 
that lie experienced a terrible shock- -" Tlie sight of 
my wife ghastly ami emaciated, constantly coughing 
and spitting struck me with liorr(^r." The next day 
he was inforiued of her death. 1 hat very evening 
h(>r remains were consigned to tlie earth, her father, 
nil it her, younger sister, and himself l)eing the only 
mourners. He writes in his diary of his suiprise at 
his own composure under such afflictions, and says, 
" I am I'ather disposed to impute it to despair than 
resignation." 

He now persuaded his mother to leave her deso- 
late home and reside with him. In the intervals of 
his many cares (he had V)een appointed one of the 
l)liysi('ians to the poor) he strove in every way to 
relieve the anguish of her spiiit, even while he was 
sufferiiiii' so intensely himself. His care was of 
short duration, Imwevei'. < )n Septemlier "2 1st, only 
nine days after the death nf his wife, his .nil'ection- 
ate niiither. the friend and counsellor of hisxoiith 



i 



f54 ALEXANDER AN DKIiSON, M.D. 

and iiiaiiliuod, was also taken tVoni liim. When the 
day was over lie made tlie following simple and 
pathetic entiy in his diaiy : "8epteml)er '21st. My 
Mother died at 10 this morning. 'I nevei' shall 
look upon her like again.'" 

Aftei' this last Idow he resigned his place as phy- 
sician to the pool-, saying tliat the hurry and an.xie- 
ty at such a time were more than he conkl hear. 

Three days later, en September 'J4th, his mother- 
in-law, Mi's. Van Vleck, who seems to have been a 
veiy amialde and estimable person, was seized liy 
the common enemy, and died in a few hours. 

In less than three weeks his sister-indaw, Polly, a 
cheerful and interesting companion, who had ear- 
nestly striven to lighten his burden of sorrow, began 
to show the first symptoms of the disease. With a 
naturally strong constitution, she struggled bravely 
against it, but finally succund)ed, and expired on 
October li'th. 

The young doctor, ever kind and considerate of 
the feelings of others, now passed much of his time 
in his father-in-law's family, seeking to relieve the 
pain so akin to his own. 

Toward the end of the month he made a brief 
visit in Stamford to see his aunt and grandmother, 
and on his return announced his intention of aban- 



MAUKIAdIC AND KAIM.V S()i;i:()\\. 



55 



(Idiiiiii;- the piactire of medicine, wliicli luul become 
liii;-lily distasteful i" liini. in this resoltitiini lie was 
sustained l)y several of his friends, who apjnovcd 
liis plan of devoting himself exclusively to engrav- 



ing. 




CHAPTER VI. 

ESTABLISHED AS AN ENGKAVER. 

1)p:i'i;[ved of the agreeable companiousliip to 
wbich he had been accustomed, he was I'estless and 
unha})py ; and after a sHght attack of the epidemic, 
from which he quickly recovered, he resolved to 
pay a visit to tlie West Indies. lie accordingly set 
sail in the fo]h)wing Maicli, and spent sevei'al 
months with liis uncle, Dr. Alexander Anderson, 
who was king's l)otanist in the island of St. Vincent. 

The peaceful l)eauty of nature was as balm to his 
troubled feelings, and dui'ing his long rainV)les he 
accpiired a great fondness for plants and flowers, of 
which the trojiics ai'e so prodigal. This taste re- 
mained with him thiough life, and on his return to 
New York he was a frequent visitor at the Elgin 
Botanical (xarden, established in the early part of 
this century l)y Dr. David Hosack. The garden 
covered twenty acres, extending westward from the 
present line of Eifth Avenue, and along that avenue 



ESTAHLISIIED AS AN ENGHAVER. 57 

from Forty-seventh to Fifty-first Street. This ti'act 
was afterward given Ity tlie leiiislature, wliirh \im\ 
purchased it from Dr. Ilosaek, to Columhia College, 
in whose possession it still remains. 

Audei-son's uiiele offered him a lucrative position, 
but he declined it, having resolved to devote himself 
entirely to engraving. He was in poor health and 
extremely melancholy — so much so, that foi' weeks 
together he woidd shun all society; then, rushing 
to the opposite extreme, wouhl enter iiit<> all kinds 
of dissipation. The balance wheel of his life was 
lii'oken. lie found a new one in his second wife, 
a sister of her whom he had lost. She gave him 
what he so much needed — a settled home and a fixed 
purpose. His was one of those natures that nnist 
have congenial companionship to appear at its best. 
This he now had, and he entered w itii spirit into 
his work. The only break in the daily routine was 
an occasioiud stroll in the country, in search of 
plants and Howers, or some sul)ject for his pen- 
cil. 

It was during this period of elation, following 
the previous depression, that he poured out his feel- 
ings in the (piaint verses given on the next page, 
arranging them for his favorite tune, " Whistle o'er 
the lave o't " : 



^8 ALKXANDKK ANDKRSON, M.I). 

"A New 'Whistle o'kr the Lave o't; 

" We sliould ii;i fret oiirsel's to stane. 
Like Niobe, wlui's dead an' gaue. 
Nor blear our een out a' our lane, 
Rut whistle o'er the lave o't. 

" Gie me a man wha's een can blink, 

Wha's heart is free, wha's soul can think ; 
Wha's Clishma-Clarer care can sink. 
And whistle o'er tlie lave o't. 

•' Let Beauty's smiles illume the way. 
The murky glen through which we stray ; 
Thus may we live our little day, 
And wliistle o'er the lave o't. 

'■ A\'hen fortune shows a scowlin' hrow. 
And lays our fairest prospects low ; 
As pleasures fade, let reason grow, 
Then whistle o'er the lave o't. 

" But when she glints witli face serene 
And decks the warl' in gayest sheen. 
We'll aye distrust the fickle quean, 
And whistle o'er the lave o't. 

" And when anld DeatJi \vi' ruthless paw 
Shall cla])}ier claw us, ane and a', 
^Ve maun submit to Nature's law. 
And whistle o"er tlie lave o't." 




Attention ! youth and children all, 
The author takes his chair, 

Rrsolvoti, for scholars great and small 
A Primek to jirepare. 

Ho surely is a learned chap, 

He shows it in his looks. 
His slippers, study-jj;o\vn, and cap, 

His tahlc, and his books. 

Our New Pictorial nuist claim, 

A frrst-rate book to bo ; 
And surely none will doubt the same, 

When they the author see. 




Kii^Kivivi l.v Dr. AiiiliTfim for tin- ■' lilus'lraU'il PriiiH-r,' piibiishcil In 
MessrH. (JnohMl'^e A Brother. 



ESTAIiLISIIKD AS AN 1<:N«KAVK1;. 61 

Alxjut tills time iViidei-soii l>ec;inie iutiiuate witli 
Jdliii Roberts, whose ae(iu;untiince he liad first 
made In October, ITOO. lie liad come from Scot- 
land 111 1 7'.''">, and soon attracted attention l)y his 
genius and eccentric habits. Skilled in many 
branches of knowledge — in painting, engraving, 
mechanics, music, and mathematics — he lacked 
stability of character, and his irrey-ular habits were 
very uupk^asiug to a serious mind. Anderson, who 
had sought employment with him for the sake of 
studying the most improved methods of engraving, 
soon drojiped his acquaintance, having in the mean 
time, however, learned much that was new and 
important. 

Ordei's for engraving thronged upon lilm, and In 
ISOO he prepared the wood-cuts for an edition of 
"The Looking Glass for the Mind," publlslied by 
David Longworth, who refers to the illustrations in 
the foUowins: words: "Our native American orenius 
and artist, Dr. Alexander Anderson, executed the 
cuts tVir tills edition idJ on wood ;" and " if they do 
not equal Mr. Bewick's, whose pinductions in that 
line have justly gained lilm so great a reputation, 
and ai'e mentioned by the reviewers in England 
witli an aj)plause so highly merited, yet, wlieii the 
iiuiiu'rous op[>ortunltles there affoi'ded to the man 



fiS ALK.XANDKi; ANDEItSON, M.D. 

of g'eiiius for improvement, and for the want of 
which he languishes liere, ai-e considered, it must he 
admitted that Di'. Anderson's merit falls little short 
of Mr. Bewick's excellence." The same puldisher 
employed him in 1802 to redraw and engi-ave thi-ee 
hundi'ed of Bewick's illustrations in the "Quadru- 
peds," which Anderson said was " a lahoiious un- 
dei'taking and poorly paid." He also executed for 
Longworth, both on wood and copper, the engrav- 
ings for the early editions of Irving and Paulding's 
" Salmagundi." 

The doctor was an intimate friend of AVashingtou 
Irving, whom he often met in the various puldish- 
iug houses, and whose insti'uctor he was in the art 
of playing the clarionet. Mr. Irving always spoke 
of him in the pleasantest manner, and described him 
as being " handsome, artless, and full of good 
liumoi', and as gentle as a woman." 

Anderson engraved a number of pictures for the 
excellent set of small l)ooks issued l)y the Quakei' 
publisher, Samuel Wood, and for many years the 
publications of the American Ti'aet Society were 
illustrated with woo(bcuts designed and engraved 
liy him. His last iiu[)ortant engraving on co])pei- 
was made about tiie year 181"2, and represented the 
Last Suppei', after the original l)y Holbein. It was 



ESTABLISHKD AS AN ENGRAVER. 63 

six inches by eight, ;iiid was considered u niagniti- 
cent specimen of the graphic art. Although an ex- 
cellent engraver on copper, he much preferred wood, 
and from this time on confined liimself almost ex- 
clusively to that material. Some of his wood-en- 
gravings were of considerable size, a series engraved 
in 181.S to illustrate the four seasons beins; nine and 
a half inches wide by twelve and a half long. 

"The ileshless monarch of the lioui-glass and 
scythe" had a great fascination for him, and he 
would often recur to subjects of that character. In 
1800 he made fifty-two cuts for "Emblems of 
Mortality," issiied by John Babcock, a publisher in 
Hartford. They were repi-oduced from the English 
edition illustrated by Thomas and ,Iohn Bewick, 
which ap])eared in 1789, and wci-e in the style of 
Holl)ein's famous ''Dance of Death." A co]>y of 
this rare book is in the possession of Charles C. 
Moreau, Esq., who has a large collection of Ander- 
son's works, and has kindly given the author of this 
volume an opportunity of examining them. 



CHAPTER VII. 

CLOSIKG YEAKS OF HIS LIFE. 

All Dr. Anderson's pictures exhibit tlie same 
careful execution, and show plainly that he wias an 
artist as well as an engraver. Nothing is over- 
looked or slighted, even the smallest detail Ijeing 
worked up conscientiously. He was a close student 
of Bewick, and engraved in his style ; for with the 
eye of genius he saw that it \vas the true method. 
Like his English prototype, he was a lover of nature, 
and would spend his rare holidays in wandering- 
through the fields ; stopping here to gather some shy 
wild flower coyly hidden in the grass ; now gazing 
with wrapt and loving attention upon a sweet- 
voiced songstei', from whose feathered throat welled 
a stream of li(|uid melody; and anon pausing to 
i-est under a a\ ide-branching tree, Avhere, free fi'om 
all iuterniption, he could sketch the beauties 
arouud. 

He also made a close study of New York archi- 
tecture, and engraved for the " Mirror" (now the 
"Home Journal"), j)ul)lished by George P. Morris, a 



CLOSING YKAKS OK HIS LIKK. (57 

series of eaixifully tixeciited wood-cuts of the old 
Dutcli buildings that were still standing: in the 
early part of the century. His work was in demand 
not only at home hut abroad, and for many years 
he furnislied religious pictures to Spanish printers 
in Mexico, South America, and the West Indies. 
When the party strife engendered by the Wai- of 
1812 was at its lieight, he cut a number of cari- 
catures, those dealing with the subject of the em- 
bargo being especially good. They were designed 
by John Wesley Jarvis, and were suggested by 
a satirical poem written by William Culleu Bryant, 
then only thirteen years old. 

Di-. Andei-son was taken by the militaiy draft, 
notwithstanding his professional title, and was com- 
pelled to bear ai-ms as a soldier; but for a short 
time only, as he was fortunate enough to secure 
a substitute. On his return to the city he was em- 
j)loyed by the authorities to engrave the plates for 
the small j)aper money issued diii-ing the winter of 
1814-15. At this time and, in I'.nct. until eleven 
years later, he had cmly two or tliive conipetitoi's in 
wood-engi'aviuL:- in this cuuiitry, and, ;is a conse- 
([uence, made a comfortable li\ ing tor himself and 
fixmily. 

Mr. Lossing, the historian and engraver, says that 



68 ALEXANDER ANDERSON, M.D. 

when he beffan his ^vol•k in New York there were 
not more tlian twenty professional wood-engravers 
ill tlie United States, and tliat when the fother of 
American eno-raviiifj died there were over four 
liundred. 

Dr. An<lerson was excessively modest, and always 
deprecated any direct mention or praise of himself. 
The following incident well illustrates this character- 
istic : His poi'trait was needed for a projected his- 
tory of wood-engraving tliat was to be published in 
the " Art Union Bulletin," a publication similar to 
the "London Ait Journal." When approached on 
the sul)ject by an intimate friend, he returned the 
answer that he had always given to his family : 
"What do others care for a picture of my old 
face i " He finally consented, however, after much 
urging, to sit for his likeness to Plumbe (on the 
corner of Broadway and Murray Street), who had 
met with considerable success in the new art of 
daguerreotyping. The portrait was taken in dupli- 
cate, as the modern system by which })liotographs 
can be produced in unlimited quantities was then 
unknown. The history Avas never ]>uldislied ; l)ut 
a year oi- so afterwai'd the daguerreotype was care- 
fully copied on wood, and the doctor was requested 
to engrave it for publication in the "London Art 



CLOSING YEARS OF HIS LIFE. 69 

Journal." He was hoi-i-ified, and at first positively 
refused to do anything that woidd be so grossly 
egotistical. His objections were overcome, and the 
picture, which is cut in his Ijest style, aj)peared in 
the "Journal" for September, 1858. He was then 
in his eighty-fourth }ear, and those who knew him 
say that he had retained extraordinary \'igor both 
of body and mind. 

For nearly ten yeai-s longei- he was regularly em- 
ployed in engraving, and at the age of ninety-three 
cut a series of pictures foi- Barbei-'s " Historical 
Collections of New Jersey." This was the last 
work he did for a publisher. 

In 1868 he moved to Jersey City, and took uj) 
his residence with his son-in-law, Dr. Edwin Lewis, 
at 135 Wayne Street, where he died January 17th, 
1870, a short time before his ninety-fifth birthday. 
The service was held in Trinity Church, New York, 
and the I'emaius were interred in Gi'eenwood Ceme- 
tery. 

Si.\ months l)efore his death he drew a picture 
upon a l)lock, and had partly engraved it, doing a 
little from time to time as his strength allowed, when 
the di'ead call came. During his latter years he en- 
graved many pictures for his own amusement, taking 
that method of preserving any design that happened 



70 ALKXANDEIi ANDERSON, M.D. 

to strike his fancy. He ]i;i<l a little workshop built 
in the yard, and tliei'e lie would keep himself busily 
employed. He never considered his old blocks worth 
preserving, and frequently cut up the larger ones to 
kindle the fire. 

He was remarkably conscientious, and would never 
consent to receive more than what he considered a 
fair pi-iee for his work. The late Evert A. Duyc- 
kinck, in a letter to, a friend, tells of a contract the 
doctor had made to do a certain amount of map 
work for a stipulated pi'ice. When the work was 
finished he refused to accept the sum agreed upon, 
as the eno-ravinsj had not taken as much time as he 
expected. 

Dr. Anderson was also a good miniature painter, 
and in his early life was frequently employed in that 
capacity. He painted daintily on ivory the portraits 
of all his daughters when they were young women, 
that of Mrs. Lewis, the youngest, being particularly 
fine. 

His retiring and bashful disposition caused him 
to shrink as much as possible from the companion- 
ship of the prominent men ^\'ith whom he was 
bi'ought in contact ; but professional duties com- 
pelled him to see them more or less, and he made, 
almost without his own volition, many wai'm friends. 



CLOSING YEARS OF HIS LIFE. 73 

who entertained for him the most sincere regard. 
He was a member of the old Academy of Fine Arts, 
of wliioh Colonel Trumbull was President, and his 
position as an artist was so high, that ^\ hen the 
Academy of Design was founded in 1827, he \vas 
immediately elected a member. 

He had oidy four piipils during the course of his 
long and honored life : his daughter Ann, who mar- 
ried Andrew Maverick, a copper-plate printer ; 
Garret Lansing, who placed himself under his 
instruction in 1804, and became the second wood- 
engraver in America; William Morgan, who after- 
ward became noted as u draughtsman, and John H. 
Hall, who took a high rank among engravers, but 
being seized by the gold fever in 1849, went to 
California, where he (.lied. 

By his second wife Dr. Anderson had one son and 
five daughters. His son, who was a physician, and 
was named John, after the beloved brother who had 
perished in the yellow-fever epidemic, died in IS;^6. 
Two of his daughters, Knuneliue (Mrs. Maybe) and 
Ann (Mrs. Maverick), inherited tlieir father's taste 
for art, and gained distinction, the one with the 
pencil, the other with the graver. Three of his 
daughters survived him — Mrs. Halsey, Mrs. Skill- 
man, and Mrs. Lewis. 



74 ALEXANDER ANDERSON, M.D. 

Mr. Lossiug, speaking of his friend and fellow- 
engraver, says : " Dr. Anderson worked industriously 
Avitli an ever-cheerful spirit ; was kind and loving, 
and generous to all ai-ound — in a word, he lived a 
pure, simple, blameless, and useful life. He was 
of less than medium height, compactly Ijuilt, with 
mild and beautiful dark gray eyes and a face ever 
beaming with indices of kindly feelings and serenity 
of spirit ; and for many years that venerable head 
was surrounded, as ]:)y a halo, with white locks and 
beard. His voice was soft and low. He was genial 
in tkought antl conversation, and had a (juick per- 
ception of genuine humor. To him the world was 
a delightful place to live in, because it was a reflex 
of his own sweet spirit. He was extremely regular 
in all his habits. He once said to a friend : 'I would 
not sit up after ten o'clock at night to see an angel.' " 



APPENIMX A. 



A BT^TKF SKKTCII 



OF 



DR ANDERSON^S LIFE. 

(Written bij hlmfilf in IWS.) 



A RRIEF SKETCH 

OF 

DP.. ANDERSON'S LIFE, 

Oyrilleii hi/ himself in 1848.) 



In order to account for my neglect of tlie ordi- 
iKuy nieaiis of adv^ancenieut in life, it may be neces- 
sary to say something of my parentage and incidents 
of my early days. 

I was born in the city of New York in the year 
1775. My fathei-, although a native of Scotland, 
had bec(^nie a thorough re])ul>lioan ; and entering 
into the printing business published a paper, " The 
Constitutional Gazette," in opposition to Rivington's 
"Royal (xazette," and soon became conspicuous as 
John Anderson, the rebel printer. His business 
was prosperous till the British army approached the 
city which obliged him to pack uj) and fly. On his 
way to Connecticut by the Kingsbridge road, his 
wacrons were seized for the use of the American 
garrison at Fort Washington, and his books and 



80 ALEXANDER ANDERSON, M.D. 

papers converted into carti'idges. Ilis paper money 
depreciated and soon l)ecame worthless and the 
consequences may be imagined. He, liowever, found 
a refuge for liis family among some friends of my 
mother (who was of the New England stock) at 
(xreenwich, Conn., while he made himself useful as 
captain of the alarm list on the dehataljle 
ground. My first recollections are those of playing 
on the shores of the Sound, building little huts 
among the rocks and roofing them with sea weed, 
delighted with everj^thing around me. My brother 
and myself, however, were under the rigid 
government of my mother, whose talents enabled 
her to give us some instructions. For want of ink 
she would dissolve indigo in water and the draw- 
ings of faces and flowers made their appearance and 
amused us dui'ing the evenings. Some pieces of 
type-metal ornaments which had escajjcd the wreck 
of the printing oflice became intei-estingobjects to 
me. The grotesque vignettes in old editions of 
books done when the artist had not the fear of 
criticism befoi'e his eyes had (diarms for me, and I 
am not ashamed to say something of that taste still 
I'emains with me. The old Dutch tiles around the 
fire place were so execrable that I remember look- 
intr at them with a. mixture of curiosity and disgust. 



APPENDIX A. 83 

At times we were indulged with the sight of a 
large pile of pictures such as issued from the 
London print shops of that day. Among the rest 
Hogarth's Industrious and Idle Apprentice made a 
strong impressi(>n on my mind. 

As soon as peace was declared, the scene was 
changed to New York. I was put to school and 
drilled into the study of Latin and a little Gi'eek. I 
became a great i-eader. After devouring all the toy 
books of Ne\\l)ury, the first book of any conse- 
quence was ^sop's Fables and the next Dryden's 
Virgil, the engravings in which formed no small 
share of the entertainment. I was full of ])usiuess, 
carving little figures, making boats and fitting up a 
little cellar as a theatre ; for I had been favored 
with the sight of one play and it was an event not 
to be forgotten. I had my drawing books and my 
drawings were made by wetting a hair pencil in my 
mouth, rul)bing it on a bit of Indian ink and then 
imitating ])rints in line woi'k. One of my school- 
fellows had access to an Encyclopedia and there we 
found sonic instructions for engraving. Small pieces 
of copper were procured and pennies rolled out in 
the mill of a friendly silversmith, and when copper 
was scarce pewter was used. I did a head of Paul 
Jones and [)leasetl was I when 1 got an impres.sion 



84 ALEXANDER ANDERSON, M.D. 

with red oil paint in a nule rolling press whioh I 
bad constructed. The first i^ravei' I used was the 
hack spring of a pocket knife ground to a point. An 
obliging blacksmith afterwards made some tools for 
me and I began to work in type metal. 

I engraved some small ships and sold them at the 
newspaper offices. Othei' little jobs followed and I 
produced some spare cash. As there was but one 
other person working in the same line I began to 
feel of some consequence. 

At length it was determined that I should become 
a physician, and at fourteen years of age, I left my 
workshop in the gari'et and entered Avith Di'. Joseph 
Young, a man whose goodness of heart and amiable 
manners I shall never forget. He had been a siu"- 
geon in the Revolutionary army and had tliat talent 
of ol)sei'vation wliich is sometimes deficient in men 
of greater celebrity, and was very successful in his 
practice. The study of physic in those days was 
different from what it is at present. The students 
compounded all the medicines ; delivered them to 
the patients and sometimes administered them. 

No small share of fatigue nttended this as our 
business was extensive. 

I continued this mode of life for five years, read- 
ing all the medical books within reach, and yet 



APPENUIX A. 85 

foimd time foi- eiigfaviiig tor letter press and some 
on fopper, tlic pindiicts of which partly clothed me 
and paid for four (bourses of all the medical lectures, 
besides Natural Phllosopliy and a smattering of 
Frencli at evening school. ( )ni' of my earliest 
employers was William Durell w ho began with toy 
books and proceeded to larger uurks such as a folio 
edition of Josei)hus and ali()ve a hundred \'(dumes 
of British Classics. It was while engraving for him 
that 1 met with Bewick's works, and having witli 
difficultv jirocured some box wood, found the 
advantage of that material over type metal. 

Before I was of age I underwent an examination 
according t^i hiw and received a license to practice 
physic. My wayward fate in(hiced me to refuse the 
offer of a partnershiji witli my ol<l teacher Dr. 
Young. In IT'.'o, I was cm])loye(| \\\ the Health 
Committee as Resident Physician .it Bellevue Hospi- 
tal where 1 passed three montlis among yellow fever 
patients (most of them .sent up in tlie last stage of 
disease) and witnessed above a hundred deaths. 
Although 1 was em]»loyed day and night and even 
assisted in opening foui' d(»ad bodies, I escaped the 
infection, but suffered from (h'prcssiou of spirits. 

In 1 7'.'6, T graduated in Cohimliia College as 
M.D., l)ecame a married man, hiicd a house ,tiid 



86 ALEXANDER ANDERSON, M.D. 

comiiieiiced j)ractice, occasionally engraving a little, 
among the rest a skeleton from All)inus enlarged to 
near three feet. I contrived to eet two oi' three 
impressions by means of a long lever, but my work 
became disjointed and went to pieces. 

T soon discovered that the practice wasadifferent 
tiling from the study of physic. The responsibility 
appeared too great for the state of my mind. How- 
ever, I labored on till the fatal yellow fever of 1798, 
when I was again employed in tlie Hospital ; but 
after a few days bade adieu to it as I had lost my 
wife and chihl. In a short time followed the loss 
of my bi'other, father, mother and almost all my 
friends whom I visited in their illness — all within 
three months. This succession of calamities seemed 
rather too severe ; I sought consolation in change 
of scene and made a voyage to the West Indies to 
visit an uncle, Dr. Alexander Anderson, King's 
Botanist in the island of St. Vincent. I remained 
at the Botanic Garden (a perfect paradise at that 
time) about three months ; and, after rejecting an 
offer that would have made me independent returned 
to my native place. 

I had a craving for (j^uiet and retirement, with tlie 
hopes of supporting myself by my favorite employ- 
ment. But mv solitarv life led me to iiidul"'e 



Al'l'KNDIX A. S9 

strange whims, such .as living on vegetable food, 
mostly bread and water, for eight months, and then 
launching out into opposite extremes till a second 
marriage produced new scenes and new cares. I 
a]ipli('d ni\ st'if closely, rather too closely to the arts 
••iimI lost no time in aniuscnients e.\re|it some rambles 
out of town and e\en then 1 was attem[)ting 
sketches. 

In 1802, I undertook the eny-ravinir of three hun- 
dred cuts for Bewick's Quadiupeds, a laborious 
undeitaking and poorly paid. 

1 did a number of engravings for the late David 
Longworth, among the rest a set for the Fables of 
Floi'a, the head vignettes on copper and the tail 
pieces on wood. The late Sanuiel Wood was one of 
my most constant employers. I diil an intinity of 
cuts [\n- his excellent set of small books. 

Among mv ac([uaintances was John Kol)erts from 
Dumfries, tlie |ierson mentioned by Bui'us as being 
good at the l)nriii. I sought his employ in hopes 
of gaining some imjirovement trom that almost uni- 
versal genius and assisted in linishing several plates; 
liut theie was a downward teiKh-ncy aliout the man, 
and our intimacy was (bopped. Ilis end was rathei' 
melancholy. 

Durino; tiie last war w ith Great Britain mv title 



00 



ALEXANDKU ANDERSON, M.D. 



of M.I), would not preserve me from being drafted 
as a soldier while my six eliildreu were thrown upon 
the cure of a mother ali-ead}' showing symptoms of 
the consumption which afterwai'd tei'ininuted her 
life. I was fortunate enough in finding a sulistitute 
in a short time. I returned to my pursuits and was 
employed by the corporation to engi'a\e the small 
money bills issued during the scarcity of s])ecie. 

Constant em[)loyment has caused time to slip 
away, till I find myself in my seventy-third yeai'. 1 
have raised and supported a large family under 
rather discouraging circumstances, and what comes 
next is in the book of fate. A. A. 




APPENDIX B. 



EXTRACTS 

FROM THE 

DIARY OF ALEXANDER ANDERSON 

17U5-1798. 

(The Notes, for the most purt. iiro by W. W . I'asko, 
of the New York '• Typothetaj.") 



EXTRAC'JS 

V\WS[ THE 

1)1 ARV OF ALEXANDER ANDERSON 

FOK 

1795-1798. 



DIARY FOR 1795. 

Jamiaiy 1st. Moi'iiing — I oast over again the plate 
of Type-metal for Cre-'<sin\s work. — 

A slight fall of snow. — Attended at the Doctor's. 
— Kindled a fire in the shop. — Call'd upon N. Bird- 
sail * and receiv'd 8/ 10. — 

Scene, the Drs f Shop — Gen. Campbell enters and 
after the usual eomplinients uiidei'takes to prove that 
Woman was made upon tlie "tli (hiy. — Di'. Youle \ 
arrived — Political Justice ct- CrimiimJ codes became 
the subjects of discussion. — Dr. Smith made his ap- 
pearance and the Gen. not long after, his exit. — A 

*N'atlianiel Birilsall, printer and l)ooksollpr, at 80 Oliprrv 
street. 

t Dr. Joseph Yonno;. l)i-. Anderson liiid then hrcii with 
him since May 1. 1789. 

X Dr. Josepli Youk", who lived at 97 Hcekinan street. He 
was at that time the Scribe of tlii' Couneil of Tammanv. 



94 ALEXANOP^R ANDERSON, M.D. 

System of Education on the ])riiK'iples of Moi'al 
Clieniistry was sketch'd out. — The Coui])aiiy was aug- 
mented by the arrival of Johnson Butler and Mr. 
Nixon. — The Drs departed & Mr. Watson, Merchant 
Tailor, came in — made a short stay. — 

3d. Morning — finished one of Durell's * wooden f 
cuts — began to repair one of Hicks's compass plates. 
— Foi'e-noon, spent chiefly in the Dr's shop — except 
taking a walk to the Sliip-}ards to see the Keel 
of the Frigate. — About ?>, we sat down to din- 
nei', about 12 in number. — I made myself pretty 
active in helping the company — but was aware how 
1 help'd myself to mince pie again. — Ran home l)efore 
dark. I engrav'd a few strokes. — Benj. Tanner | 
call'd to know my price for the cuts of the Primer — 
I retui-n'd to tea — play'd a few tunes on the Violin — 
came home with Mamma before 8. 

17th. Spent (kl for Raisins. — Return'd liulUn and 

* Williain Diirell, who began with toy books, but hud now 
attained to mucli greater things. He continued in business 
for a long time, being in 1705 at 208 Pearl street. He was a 
printer and stationer, as well as a bookseller. 

f The use of boxwood liad been discovered V)V Anderson the 
previous year, and souie ])ieces were procured with great diffi- 
culty for his experiments. Later, boxwood was regularly 
imported. It is to be noted that he invariably says " wooden" 
cuts instead of the modern usage, "wood cuts." 

\ Benjamin Tanner, an engraver of 2(J Frankfort street. 



APPENDIX B. 96 

got NettJetou on \'irtiif IVoin Felldws's. — Dr. David- 
son proposes that I should take a trip with liiiii to 
St. Vincent's, next spring. — My Mother is utterly- 
averse to this scheme. — Evening. — At 7, according to 
invitation, [ went to Dr. Smith's, where I found 
eleven others who attend his Lectures. After spend- 
ing some time in sociable discourse, we were ask'd into 
another i-ooiu where an elegant supper was })rovide(l. 
— I evaded drinking more than a glass of wine & ate 
hut little. — Past 11 before I got home. 

•28th. I sat U]. till 12 last night.— My Brother* 
came home about 1. — I attended ('hem. L<'cture. — 
Spent fxl for figs &, paid ."xl (hie to Seaman's. — 
Mrs. Settersfield was at hi'eakfast with us tV: <;ave 
information of Aunt Carpender'sf ill state of health, 
from the continuance of a lingering Dysentery. — 1 
came home at I '2, got ready some of Mr. Sacket's 
remedy (Butternut hark and Jerusalem Oak) and 
took over to her together with a bottle of w'ine — 
gave Kate directions for pi-eparing the medicine — 
ate some Supon ;{. S: Milk, and tiHM my pockets with 

* II is brother was a law student. 

f Mrs. C'arpender recovercil. licr lumic appearing in tlic tirst 
Broiiklyii Dircetdrv, wliicli was piil)iisli(Ml in 170(1. Slic was 
a widow. 

t Suppaau — the flour of niaizc, made up iiiln a ]iiidilincj by 
boiliiiij. and then eaten with nuik, snoar m- Miolasses. 



96 ALEXANDKR ANDERSON, M.f*. 

apples wliifli slie forcM upon me; got. lionie l^efore 
'2, sat down and lieu'an anotlier eiit. — Acoordinn to 
DuielTs orders I spoke for d more liloeks of box- 
wood at Smith's. -Ml-. Henderson, schoolmaster 
from Long Island, di'ank tea at the Dr's. — My 
Brother John has pass'd his Examination, and, I 
have reason to believe, with credit. — Evening — 
Went to the College, where a few of our Medical 
Society met. — I came home at S — Capt. Stuart and 
his daughter were there. 1 copied the drawing for 
Dr. Mitchill. 

Fel)ruary 2d. Morning — Began a wooden cut — 
Attended Chem. 6z Clin. Lectures. — Paid Smith 12/ 
for Boxwood, on Durell's Acct. — Spent 6d. for Figs 
at Seaman's. Soon aftei' dinner I came home and 
engravVl. — After taking out some medicme I call'd at 
r>r. Graham's fi'om whence I attended Mamma and 
Mrs. Herttell to Dr. Davidson's and return'd. — He 
call'd and invited me to tea. — Went about 5, with T. 
Herttell.— We had the pleasure of Dr. Mitchill's* 
company and convei'sation — mentioned the plan for 
a Literary Coffee-house. — Two of Capt. Stewait's 



* Saimiel \j. Mitrliill, IJi.l)., ;i celebrated i)liysiei;ui, was 
boni ill Uie year lT<i-!, and was for a great number of years 
))rofessor of various l)ranelies in the College of Physicians and 
Surgeons of New York. 



APPENDIX B. 09 

(laughters were there. — Excellent sweetmeats were 
handed round after tea and had it not been for the 
noise of the children and tlie impertinence of a 
young goat who made a forciVjle entiy into the room 
to the threat terror of the ladies, the time niiii-ht be 
said to be veiy agreeably spent. 

March 19th. EngravVl a Quadrant for Ad. Hicks 
& receiv'd 1/. Undertook to engrave 9 copper- 
plates for Mr. Riviugton* at 40/ each, for a l)Ook of 
Fairy Tales. Stopp'd in at a book auction for a 
few minutes. Got home about 9 & read Beatties 
Eleniinitx. 

20th. AV'ent to Myer's and bespoke the plates 
for Rivington's woi'k, to do two on each plate. 
Saw Cressin at Jones's and receiv'd 4 Dollars. Mr. 
Mabie invited my In-other to be a spectator at the 
Dancing School this evening. I read in Bell and Beat- 
tie. Uot a piece solder'd in Cressin's last cut, and 
in the evening gave Coco a new face, his master be- 
ing highly displeas'd with the other. Theo. Nixon 
drank tea at the Dr's. 

* .Tames Kiviiiirtoii, who jircvious to the Eevolutionary 
War publislied Hivingtoii'.s New York Gazetteer, or the Con- 
necticut, Xew Jersey, Hudson I\iver, and Quebec Weekly 
,\dvertiser, l)ut was now simply a IjookseHer and stationer, at 
150 Pearl street. He was tlie frrandsun of Charles l!ivins:ton, 
the eminent publisher, and the son of Charles Kivington, a 
printer and publisher. 



1()<» ALEXANDER ANDEKSON, M.D. 

24tli. Scoui'M a copper-plate. Begau Gilfert's 
plate. The Negro \rdid 7/ for the stamp. Call'd at 
my Father's in the foi-enoon. Grand-mamma was 
there, from Bi'ooklyii. CalTd at old INIr. Pierce's in 
Chatham St. to look at his old violin. No sooner 
had I struck a note than his wife denouncM the 
Music as leading to the Devil. I went again in the 
evening and l)ronght it away with me, promising to 
return it in the moi'ning or pay 5 Dollars for it. I 
was so much pleased with the tone of it that 1 jiut 
it iu i\Ir. CUaus's hands to varnish and repaii'. jNIont- 
gomery Hunt & John Ferguson spent part of the 
evening at my Father's. My brother & I gave 
them some tunes on the violin. 

26th. Spent al>out 2 hours at the Library. Took 
out Zimmerman's Survey of Europe. Call'd at 
Scoles's. He found much fault with my engraving 
Gilfert's plate so cheap. I took the Ijrass stamps 
which I did for him some time ago to alter them. 
They wei'e return'd on his hands. Went to the 
AVharf opposite the Navy Yard and saw J. Grozart, 
on board the Brig Nej>tune. He has been absent 
neai' 2 years, and was at Baltimore, IIaml:)urg, some 
part of France, London, Boston, Philadelphia, then 
to the southward, fi'om whence they return'd with 
timber for the frigate. His station was 2d mate. 



APPENDIX B. 101 

I mentioned to Dr. Young my intention of leaving 
him next iiKHitli, and applying for a license. Ke- 
fiis'd liis offci' of Partnership. After 8 in the even- 
ing 1 vainisli'd a oopper-plate. 

April 1st. Regan to etch Rivington's 2d plate. I 
took the delineation of the Insects to Dr. Mitchill, 
who agreed U> my ])roposal of offering it, with a 

paper of his on tlie subject, to Siron/s* for insertion '. 

in the Magazine. I accordingly deliver'd it to him. 
After-noon — A. Herttell was at my Father's. I be- 
spoke a pair of Silk-stocking breeches at Sander's 
for 9 Df)nars ! Evening — Went to Mrs. Rose's and 
sat with the family. Siip])cr being brought in, I sat 
down with them, but help'd myself but sparingly. 
I was oblig'd to drink a glass and a half of wine, 
the operation of which I felt in my head during the 
remainder of the evening. 

22d. Receiv'd from Cressin £i. 4 and from Bird- 
sail £2. My Brothel' & I call'd upon Mr. Scoles, 
who accompanied us to see the Pttiiorama, or View 
of the City of London — an entertaiinnent new & 
highly delighting to me. The ])ainting lines the iu- 

* James and Tliomas Swords were printer.^ wlio learned 
tlu'ir irailc in this city during the Revohitioii. They became 
liulilisiu'r.s, and foiitimicd so till tlioir deaths. They and 
Durell may l>e esteemed as the first who made publishing a 
business in this city. 



102 ALEXANDER ANDERSON, M.D. 

side of :i circiilui' Ijuildiiit^, and is view'd from a 
station in the middle, suppos'd to be the top of the 
Albion mills. Di'ank tea & staid at the Doctor's 
'till evening. Reeeiv'd 16/ more from Bii'dsall. 
Came home and employ'd myself in casting type- 
metal 'till 1 was fairly tired. 

'i4th. CallM at the Dr's. Spread a plaster and 
oft' again. Spent most of the day in engraving. 
Finish'd the letters gibonne for Cressin & did part 
of 3 other type-metal cuts. My brother gone to 
public speaking at Flat-bush. I got an impression 
of the last copper2:)late and deliver'd to Mr. Riving- 
ton. Got a piece solder'd in a cut by G. Yoide. 
Evening — I vv^ent with my glue-pot in my liand to 
Ml-. Warner's lSl mended the frame of Mr. Banks's 
glass. Call'd in at Mr. Bailey's and sat awhile. 
Augustus is preparing for another voyage to St. 
Augustine. 

May ]'2th. Annivei-sai-y of Tanunany.* Got my 
waistcoat from the Tailor and jjaid his bill 15/. 
Bespoke a 1:)lue coat. Al)0ut 9 I went with my 
Brother to Gardiner Bakei', who presented us v\ath 
Tickets for the Oration. At 10 went to the Old 
Presbyterian meeting house. Sat in the pew with 

* Tiiiimianv was then six years old. 



m^. 




APPENDIX B. 105 

I)i'. Davidson. Ahoiit II tlie Society arriv'd, when 
Dr. Mitcliill Ix'gan the Oration, or rather Narration, 
in the Indian style, relating the lietitioiis histoiy of 
Tammany, interlarded with the Indian mytliology. 
A collection was made for the Charity School, to 
which I contributed 'Ij. About dusk I Avent with 
Manuiia to Mrs. Bailey's. 

'Jlst. Rose at 4. Breakfasted and call'd on A. 
Tiebout before •'>. After he had jjiit his shop in 
ordei' we set off for Panics Hook Ferry-house. 
Stepp'd into a Boat whicli was just going off, and 
after a short passage found ourselves transported 
into the delightfullv \ aried scenes of New Jersey. 
We walk'd on, cnjoving the lu'.-uitit'iil ;ind romantic 
prosj)ects around us ; pass'd ovci' the New-Bi'idge 
of Hackinsack River, and took the road leading to 
the Mines, being a causeway form'd througli the 
Cedar swamp. StoppVl at a little cottage and re- 
fresh'd ourselves with a drink of Buttei'milk. 
About 10, we found ourselves at the mines.* Some 

* This copper mine was in the present town of Harrison, 
east of Belleville, but very near to it. It was worked for 
twenty years or more before the Revolution, tlie steam engine 
referred to liciiii; imported from Encrland. While the war 
was goinj;; on labor reased. It had nut been resumed long, 
apparently, wlien Anderson visited it, and this renewal of 
work did not prove to be permanent. Some of the cuttings 
and mounds of earth arc still to be seen. 



106 ALEXANDER ANDERSON, M.D. 

little boys were employ 'd in breaking the ore, near 
one of tlie entrances, under the shade of trees with 
which tbe whole hill was pretty well coverVl. We 
ventur'd in, after taking the pi'ecaution to cool (Uir- 
selves, and were furnish'd with a candle by one of 
the Miners, who was very attentive to lead us thro' 
the different avenues. He inform VI us that there 
were 16 Workmen, mostly Welclnnen, in the mine. 
We put some specimens of tlie oie in our pockets. 
Left this dismal cavern by ascending a perjiendicu- 
lar ladder about 50 feet long, after giving oui' guide 
half a dollar, witli whicli lie appearVl well satisfied. 
From this we went to the mouth of the old shaft 
and view'd the Steam-engine, now out of use. After 
resting on the grass, we took the road to New-ark. 
2 miles brought us to Second river,'''' which we 
crossVl in a little ferry-boat. The heat became 
pretty violent and my companion perspired prodig- 
iously. Between I'i & ] we arriv'd at New-ark 
and -went to a public house, where we got a bit of a 
dinner. Set off with fresh stivngth on the Road for 
Paules Hook, cross'd the 2 Bridges, and saw the 
Draw-bridge of one rais'd to let a sloop pass. A 
slight fall of rain overtook us in our journey over 

* The Second River is a bniiioli of the Passaic, and is the 
northern boundary of Newark. 



APPENDIX B. 107 

the lung ciuiseway. V\e were miu-Ii divei'ted with a 
combat between a Crow & 7 Black-birds. Got to 
the Ferry house before 5, not without having suf- 
fer'd some apprehensions from a ^biii w ho joinM us 
on tlir r<iad. ArrixM at home before 0. i\lr. Reid 
liail li'tt tlie liook fur nu' to begin the outs. 

June i'4th. At U atteudetl at Justice Bras]ier\s 
and gave my evidence in favor of Dr. Young. INIiirh 
grieved at finding that I had deviated a little from 
truth. Before diiuier I finish('(l the map just as Mr. 
Reid came in. He took it with him and in the 
afternoon bi'ought a proof. I drew a toleralde like- 
ness of Manuna. Walked on tlie Battery. Saw a 
ship loaded with passengers fi'om Iivland, as 1 \vas 
afterward inforn\ed. Saw Aug. Bailey. Stopped 
at his house and looked at a young l)ear of liis, 
wliirii lie hail brought from St. Augustine. Receiv- 
eil a letter from John Baljcock (Hartford), with 
orders foi- engraving cuts for a little book. (Tot the 
plate from Myers and paid him (> dollars. AN'rote 
an answer to Babcock. 

July 4t!i. Annixcrsary of AnuTicaii IndcpcMKU'iice. 
I was aroused pretty early by the firing of Cannon 
and ringing of bells. — I paid I'd. for different medi- 
cines at \\ ainwright'.s, nuide some pills and put up, 
with some articles for I. Grozait. Before dinner 



108 ALEXANDER ANDEKeON, M.U. 

took n walk towards tlie l)rick-iiieeting''' and saw the 
pi'ocession of tlie troops and public Societies. 
Stopped at Mrs. Rose's and sat awhile. Afternoon 
engraved pretty steadily. J. Dougall sat and read 
with us. I l)ouglit a hat for 4 dollars. Finished 
reading the Oiiizeu. of the M'arld. Went to see the 
fire works before the (lovei'nnieut Ilouse.f After- 



* The Brick Meeting House was the Proshyterian Church 
at the junction of Nassau street. Park row and Spruce street, 
whicli when it was built were called respectively Nassau 
street, Chatham street and George street. The face was on 
lieekman street. A grant was obtained from the corporation 
of this piece of land, then almost out of town, and the church, 
which was intended for those who were swarming from the 
Wall street one, was opened for divine service January 1st, 
1768. During the Revolution it was an hospital. The pas- 
tors in 1795 were Dr. Kodgers, Dr. McKnight, and Dr. Mil- 
ler. The church was demolished about 1856, the members 
moving uptown. The ground is now occupieil by the Potter 
building and the Times building. 

f By the Government House is meant the building erected 
upon the site of the fort below the Bowling Green for the 
residence of the President of the United States. As the capi- 
tal of the nation was removed to Philadelphia about the time 
of its completion the President never lived there, but the 
Governors of the State, George C'linton and .John Jay, did. 
When Albany became the State capital early in the century 
the edifice was used for various govei'nmeutal purposes until 
the latter part of 1815 or beginning of 1810, when it was de- 
molislicd. Upon its site were erected in 1816 and 1817 the 
dwellings now used for steamship offices. They were the 









/^0^^^^^-rM^^^;^ ■ 



■s\ 












in,," I ,' 



..=^L^.>'A^V'v 






\M. 




:]^^r'-- 



A LciviT's Coniplninl. 



Ari'KNUI.X H. Ill 

wards walked al)out and viewed some illuiiiiiKi- 
tioiis. 

7tli. Morning. Cast type metal cuts. Planned 
out a jauut to liockaway and encpiired when the 
stage goes. During the forenoon I was vei'v l)usy 
at engraving. Finished the last of llariison's cuts, 
and delivered to him. He paid ine ."> dollars in [)art. 
I paid Smith 1/ for smoothing off the negro's stamp. 
Having cooked and eat dinner in haste, I left home 
aud crossed the ferry about 1. Sat at Aunt Car[>('ii- 
der's, wlio compelled me to eat, till 2, wiien I stepped 
into the stage, with no other com])any than the 
Driver, a clever negi'o fellow. Before 5 we aiiixed 
at Jamaica, where the Horses and I having eaten a 
little we set forward again and reached Far Kocka- 
way al)oiit sunset. Took up my tpiarters at .Mi-. 
\ 'auderl»ilt"s, and paid 8 for the stage. A view of 
the sea from the House, whidi is about a mile off'. 
Got supper. Coffee. 



hand.somest in town, and were really very s])acious and com- 
niodioiis Iniiidinijs. \Vasliin_sjton Irving speaks of a party he 
attended in one of them in the highest terms, and gi\'es a 
glowing deserijition of the house. Tlie hist reeonled event in 
connection witii the (lovernnient House prior to its destruc- 
tion was the ilhunination in honor of tiie peace of 1S15. It 
was a tali structure entered from the front by two winding 
series of steps, and Wiis of large size. 



112 ALEXANDER ANDEUSON, M.D. 

8th. Rose before 5. Took ;i walk to the Leach 
and enjoyed the grand view of the Ocean. Walked 
so far alono; the shore that it was near 6 o'clock 
before I returned to the house. A clever old wench 
belonging to the family procured me a violin from 
one of the neighbors. This afforded a very accept- 
al)le amusement. Before dinner I took a walk 
down a different road and came near the Narrows. 
I got Scott's Elocution. Reading this, walking and 
fiddling filled up the remainder of the day. 

yth. The violin taken away last night ; one source 
of amusement withdrawn. I rose early and went to 
the beach where I V)athed. In the afternoon, having 
chosen a new path, I followed it till I came near the 
Narrows. In returning I lost myself and it was 
some time befoie I could find my way out of the 
wood. A young fellow who has been waiter to a 
Q-entleman from the Southward came to eno-ao-e a 
seat in the stage — an arch chap with his magic lan- 
tern — I have seen him before cutting his capers 
round my father's dooi'. Evening I paid my Land- 
lord 18/. 

10th. Went this morning to take leave of the 
beach. Last night I had very distressing dreams, 
occasioned I Ijelieve by h^-xving my collar Ijut- 
toned. Before dinner I went and picked T)lackber- 



Al'l'KNKIX I!. IIS 

lies. At 1 o'clock, having sfttled with my laudhud, 
I took a seat in the stase. With us a ueio'hhoriiitr 
t'ai'iner, Mr. .\sh t'roin thi; Southward, and a young 
girl. The first and hist left us at daniaica, whei'e we 
staid an liour. I walked aliout tlie town. A little 
after 4 we started again and ariived at Brooklyn 
about 7. Stopped a few minutes at Aunt Car2)en- 
der's. Crossed the ferry and found all well. Mr. 
Reiil has paid £\d for tlie map. I ])aid 4/ for 
having my old Hat dressed. 

August 11th. After-noon called at Eirdsalls, and 
at Seaman's Cellai', to give advice to this extraordi- 
iiar}- family. I cannot help admiring the phlegmatic, 
uni'uilled di>})ositiou of one of them. Her Child 
came tumbling down the stone steps. " Doctor, can 
you mend broken heads, too ^" says she, picking him 
u[) very leisurely. Evening, I went to Dr. "^'oung's 
(Sz saw Mr. Hei-tteli. who is unwell. A Tvphus fevei' 
has cari'ied off 7 or 8 in that neighborhood. 

I'.'ki Sunday F'orenoon, lieard Mr. Beach, I. Thes- 
salon. iv, 18. Afterno(ni, Mr. Bisset, John vi, .'iS. 
As I was at tea, Dr. Smith call'd to oft'er me the cai-e 
of the Hospital at Bellevue,* in place of P. Ander- 

*Belleviic Hospital was then a loiiij di.stiinco from tlie city. 
It does not a])pp:xr that the present extensive hnililiuijs had 
been beirun in 17'J5. There could iiave been little else 



114 ALEXANDER ANDERSON, M.D. 

son, who has returned somewhat unwell. The 
Salary 20s. a day. I promised to give him a decisive 
answer in the evening. Went to Mr. Dunn's room 
and heard a discourse from a Stranger. Call'd at 
Dr. Smith's and agree'd to accept the proposal. The 
prevailing Epidemic Fevei'* appears to sjiread con- 
siderably near Di-. Young's. 

•J4th Behold me in a new Station and my mind 
in a State of confusion and perplexity. At 10 O'clock 
I caird on Dr. Smith, and after sitting near 2 hours 
stepp'd into the Chair with him and away we posted 
to Kellevue. After instnu-tiiig me in my duty and 
introducing me to the family and patients, he shook 
me affectionately by the hand and departed. There 
are (1 patients. Tlie Family consists of Mr. Fisher, 

there thau au old-fasliioned country house, with a few extra 

outbuilding's. Its oceupiition by the rit}- was originally for an 
almshouse, it being bought iu 1704 for £-2,000. At the begin- 
ning of the Eevohitionary war the jioor, who had i)reviously 
been quartered in a Imilding in the present City Hall Park, 
were removed first to West Chester and then to Poughkeepsie. 
After the war, wlien they returned, a new building was erected 
in Chamljei's street. The new Almshouse at Bellevue. now a 
part of the Hospital, was opened in tlie beginning of the year 
1810. Its expense, including that of the Penitentiary and 
other buildings, was $418,791.34. There was a farm connected 
with this up to 1830. The first regular Hospital building was 
begun here in 18'-i3. 
* The Yellow Fever. 



APPENDIX B. 115 

the steward, and his wife. Old Daddy, the gardener, 
an okl negro, a black nurse, and •_' white ones. I 
spent the afternoon in imtting up medicines and 
arranging matters. At o O'clock I set ofp and 
walkVl to my Father's, Similes, drank tea. pack'd uji 
some clothes, books, &c., in a dunk w liidi I bought 
of mv ?'ather. My Mother's feelings are not a little 
agitated on this chans;e in imi- fainilv. I I'eturned to 
the Hospital about half past n, my Brother keeping 
me company alxmt a mile up the road. Another 
patient had arrived. Attending to him and writing 
the daily report to the Committee of Health em- 
ploy'd me 'till near lo in the evening. 

27th. This moniing 1 began to apprehend hot 
weather, but tlie wind rose before noon and we lia<l 
a very pleasant day. I wrote a few lines to my 
Mothei- li\ tlie Stewaid, wIki brought int- an answer, 
together with a letter from m\ lirother and another 
from Alex. Tiebout. This was a great gratification. 
I answer'd the two latter innnediately. Anotiier 
patient sent up in a .shocking condition, Id days of 
the disease, vomiting blood by mouthfuls ; in short, 
he (lied within "J hours' time, ilis Brother came 
again to see the corpse, but was not allowed. The 
relations of Betsy Gants, a young gii'l, were very 
anxious to sec her, and to indulge them we had her 



lie ALEXANDER ANDERSON, M.D. 

led to tlie window, while they stood at some distance 
in the Garden. Two young seamen arriv'd in a cart. 
The violence of their fever demanded blood lettius:, 
which I jierforin'il immediately. Had occasion to 
bleed the young girl, likewise, before night. Di-. 
Smith made us a visit and saw the patients. Even- 
ing I wrote a letter to my mothei-. and the Report 
to the Committee. 

:2sth. We have had no fresh airivals to-day, but 
the situation of my other jiatients really puzzles 
me. One of them who has sutfered extremely and 
with unparalleled patience is dangerously ill, but his 
lungs were disordered \vhen he came here. I received 
a letter fi'om my Brother ami one fi-om Jn. Babcock 
at Hartford ; answered one in the fore-noon and one 
in the evening. 

•29th. The picture of my mind would appear very 
variegated this day. In the morning every thing 
round me had a cheerful aspect because my patients 
were better. My pleasure was heightened by the 
reception of a packet of letters. I had begun an 
answer to one, when I was call'd to see the young 
girl, who evinc'd such alarming symptoms that I 
almost despaired of her ; ho\vever, we stirr d about 
pretty briskly, and revivVl her a little by the appli- 
cati(m of a large 1)lister and pouring down medicines, 



APPENDIX B. 119 

&c. Ill tlu^ f\ ciiiiii;- a Mack man was sciil up. I 
wrote letters tn my Mother, IJiolliei', and A. Tie- 

I)(>Ut. 

.'intli. Last iii^lit tile (iii'I ami Mui|ili\, wlmm I 
nientioiiM lor his |iatieiice, lioth liietl. lii the morn- 
ing a weneh wus sent n|i IVom 'rilliiiLiliast, w itli a 
uote re(|nestin<j;; me to take partieular care of her. 
I recei\M a lettei' tVoni my Brother an<l my Bible, 
which 1 hail written for. Went to tow n in about an 
hour l)\ a shorter I'oad ; dinM and sat awliile at my 
F'ather's ; <iot back a little at^er ;i Not long after 
'2 girls arrixcd. 1 couhl not helji contrasting the 
characters of the Boatmen, who are appointed to 
convey the sick here, with that of the Ileai'se-men. 
I was pleas'd to see the care and attention of the 
former in helping the poor girls from the boat, and 
the "God bless you" which they left with them, but 
the other fellows seem to glory in a disi'egard to 
Feeling and Delicacy. I versified a part of the 1st 
chaj). of Genesis. Evening, wrote to my Mothei*. 
This mornini;' I wiote to Dr. Younsr. 

Septembei- 1st. This morning we lost 2 ])atients — 
Tillinghast's wench and the seaman who arriv'd yes- 
terday. The latter had drunk a laige (juantity 
of saltwater, after taking an emetic at sea. The 
wrench's husband came to eiuiuire for her. I dismiss'd 



120 ALEXANDKU ANDERSON, M.D. 

him with a sorrowful heart, with a line to Mr. Til- 
linghast. Admitted, a lad, an Apprentice of John 
Utt, attended by his Mother, who had got a permis- 
sion from Mr. Broome to l)e his nurse. I have not 
been fifty yards from the house since Sunday. 
Evening, wrote a letter to my Brother and a string 
of Rhyme to my Mother which as it may amuse me, 
and perhaps somebody else hereafter, I shall sub- 
join : 

To her wlio lias mirs'd me and led me to see 

The World & the Objects pertaining to me. 

Has guarded my steps and preserv'd me from falling 

Into fire, well, & mill pond when toddling and crawling, 

Who has hnsh'd me to sleep when as cross as a brat 

And spank'd me when needful, the better for tliat. 

Has sent me to School when abroad I would roam 

And to Church when I'd rather bo sitting at home. 

Who taught me in drawing the pencil to handle, 

And burn'd up her Cap in the tlame of the Candle, 

Whose useful Instruction inform'd my young mind 

With rules for Behavior & Conduct desigu'd. 

Who set me to reading the Mantuan bard. 

Who tells of ^"Eneas's travelling so hard 

In search of a place which in ages to come 

Was to be the foundation of seven hill'd I!ome, 

With tales of the Arabs my mind did amnse. 

Expanded my powers and enlarged my views. 

My Home made engaging, invites me to stay 

Nor gallop about in the streets after play. 



APPENPIX If. 121 

At. home or abroad, in this jjlace or t'otlua' 
I still shall remember tlie care of my Motlier, 
Her advice recollect and her counsels regard, 
Since that she declares is her greatest reward. 
At the Desk or the Table, wherever you are. 
Attending your Flowers or adjusting your hair, 
This hard labor'd ditty in shape of a letter 
I beg you'll accept for want of a better. 

loth. We lost 8 patients to-day and as many were 
admitted, one of them a young woman with a little 
babe. I was informM that she was of good family 
hut had run oft' with a Captain. I believe she is 
from Scotland, as she was wiappM up in a plaid 
oloak. 1 aiuus'd myself in strolling along the shore 
on the clitt's and took a walk to the head of the lane. 
4 of the Committee were here in the after-noon and 
were troubled with the complaints of the nurses 
who had contriv'd to fall out. After they were 
gone the storm rose a little and Mrs. Fishei- and 
^Irs. Hull came to pretty high words. I am some- 
times temj)ted to resign my station, but, really, I am 
afi'aid that like Jonah I shall meet with a worse 
fate. 

24th. It ]Kitients were admitted to-day: 4 died, 1 
dismissM. I liave lii uiuh'r my care. A man Avho 
was in service at Bush-liill during the ])revalence of 



» 



122 ALEXANDER ANDERSON, M.D. 

the disease in Philadelphia applied for employment. 
I flatter myself that a storm is at liand, whicli from 
the beneficial effect it will have on the air is nuicli 
desired. How happy would we be if we could 
always resign ourselves to the \vill of Providence & 
act with Fortitude. I think I can see the wise in- 
tentions of our Coujuion Father in placing me in 
this situation. I do not expect to meet with greater 
trials in this life than I have experienced here. May 
I l)e Ijettei' enabled to suppoi't them. Perhaps at 
some future period these lines may appear ritlicu- 
lous to others. Perhaps they may be the means of 
reclaiming me from error; if so Pll I'un the ris(|ue 
of the former and record the present state of my 
mind. 

October 8th. A Rainy day. No arrivals to-day, 
and of course we found a little more leisure than 
usual. I found much entertainment in overhauling 
the journals of a young Man wlio died this morning, 
James l^ackiu, lately from England, Clerk to Drowly 
& DrawVjridge. Ilis observations are very judicious ; 
his sentiments in i-eligion similar to Dr. Pi-iestly's. 

The billiard room, as we call it, really exhibits a 
curious scene. On the right hand as you enter, lies 
an old fellow with his head always mufHed uj) in his 
blanket. On pulling this off you disclose his yellow 



APPE?fDIX B. 123 

phiz, and something veiy luiniuious in the h>()k he 
gives you. In answer to my en([niry how he was 
this morning, lie said he "felt like the divil,"and 
then Inindled hiniself up in his lihuiket. ( )n the left 
lies another who had got np in the night and drag- 
ged his l)ed into the middle <il' the tluor and next 
made a miLiration int<< the eornei' uf the room. Tn 
another corner is a Barber who came in last evening, 
and seems mneh disjiosecl foi- a conference with his 
neighliours. 1 could not hel]i hursting into a laugh 
at this conjunction of ludicrous objects, notwith- 
standing the melancholy condition of the pool' beings. 
;'> died to-day. 

McKarlane was surgeon on board an English 
ship, and h.is visited most of the \\'est India 
Islands. 

It began to clear off at Sunset, when the 
Clouds, together with the Rainbow exliibited a 
beautiful apj)earance. W v took the liberty to dis- 
charge a nurse and employ another, a decent looking 
old woman in her place. Our reasons for this step 
were these. In the first place she is addicted to 
liipioi. and of course the patients must suffer from 
neglect, but thev likewise suffei- from her behaviour 
which is vi'ry rough and illy fitted to sooth the 
mind of a sick pei'son. 



124 ALEXANDER ANDERSON, M.D. 

COPY OF VERSES WRITTEN TO A. TIEBOUT. 

I insert them not from any supposed excellence 

but for the sake of recalling past Ideas. 

doiild flowing numbers animate my breast 

And fire poetic raise a mind depress'd, 

liow would I catcli from Friendsliip's genial shrine 

Tlie sacred flame and call the muses mine. 

The Muses — no, a higher aid I call 

Before whose Throne those fancied beings fall, 

Who first to Mortal ilan existence gave 

And next consigned him to the silent grave. 

In fairer day to rise and ope those powers 

AVliieh only budded in this world of ours. 

glorious jirospect, worthy all our care. 

With hope to wait and for the event prepare ; 

A great event, which ditt'eront colours wears, 

As man has reason for his hopes or fears. 

To him who justice does and mercy loves 

And fears the God who through all nature moves, 

The prospect opens and in clearer skies 

His soul expands, while radiant glories rise. 

But he whose mind corrupted and debas'd. 

The heavenly image of his God defac'd, 

In keen remorse anticipates the day 

When low in dust his guilty joys shall lay ; 

When vengeance threatening long, now strikes the blow 

Which breaks the stubborn heart and kindles woe ; 

'Till purged from every stain, Eternal Love 

Removes the su})pliaut to the realms above, 

Coeval with Eternity to sing 

Th' unbounded goodness of our heavenly King. 

27th. This morning I went to town. Found my 
Father's Family well ; must see the silver tea-pot 




^'LUil'I PlHTi":! -I !■: irj 



APPENDIX B. 127 

which he has presented to mamma. AValkVl out and 
bought some shoe-ril)bon. Met Ciessin \vho wislies 
to have more engravings done. Mrs. Hall, one of 
our former nurses, called upon me to get a character 
tfe certificate of her behaviour while in the Hospital ; 
told me that after Stymets' decease she applied to 
Alderman Furman for her wages, who refusVl to 
pay her and on her further importunity threaten'd 
to send her to Bi'idewell."" Said she was in a great 
hurry for her money, and asked her what she would 
do when that was expended. I gave my testimony 
that she conducted herself soberly & honestly while 
nurse. I returned to tlie Hospital before ;>. Mary 
Brown had died, i' Discharged. I spent near an 
hour in playing on the Violin. 

November oth. This morning I went to town. 
Call'd at Keid's (Bookseller) who urg'd me to hurry 
on the Hieroglyphic engi'aviugs. I went home and 
once more began to use my engraving tools, now 
growing i'ust\'. Before three o'clock P. ]\1. I 



* The Bridewell was on tlw west side of the t'ity llall, m 
the Park, and was the conniiDii jail. It was a small structure 
of gray stone, two stories high, besides the basement. It was 
an object of terror to those who were likely to be imprisoned 
there, beyond what an ordinary jail would be, as jail fevers in 
that building were frequently very destructive. 



128 AI.EXANDER ANDERSON, M.D. 

finisli'd 7 of the cuts, and cuiitriv^'d to have a room 
fitted up for my winter quarters, hi my way back 
I got HinoanTa Life from the Tjibrary, having re- 
turned the Spectator. My Brother and I stopp'd in 
at Capt. Rowe's at his invitation. He walk'd part 
of the \vay with us afterward. I met with something 
to flatter my vanity. This was the siglit of my 
name honorably mention'd in the Papers l)y tlie 
Health Cummittee. 

12th. This morning I toolv leave of Belle-vue 
Hospital, having agreed to return to-mon-ow to see 
Mrs. Black who still continues un\vell. George, the 
black man, was much aft'ected when I gave liiin liis 
discharge. In my way home I met McFai'lane, who 
return'd with me. I made a pretty sudden transition 
in my lousiness. Having kindled a fire in my new 
apartment I began at engraving. After dinner I 
went with my Brother and sat a while with ])r. 
Young ; next call'd at Yoiilex and got some type- 
metal, for which I paid 13/10. — Iketuind t^ ein- 
ploy'd the remainder of the day in casting blocks 
for the Hieroglyphics and part of the evening in 
finishing them off. 

20th. This mornina; I call'd at Harrison's and got 
some type-metal and some more at Durell's. Met 
Dr. Hamersley twice at Ryan's who is still in danger. 



APPENDIX H. 129 

I vveut to Aldi-nnaii Kuniian, w liu autlitcd iiiyJielle- 
vue Account. 1 next took it to Mr. Hazard, who 
signed it, and then to Mi'. Bi'oonic, who counter- 
signed it; then to Kohl. IJowiii' w iio treated nie 
with iiiucli kindness and gave me a elieck on the 
Baid< of the Tnited States, for the sum of j£l26 /8, 
the compensation for my services for 71' days, at 4 
dollars. In the afternoon T cast a number of cuts. 
Went with A. Tiel)out and bought two ])air of 
stockings of a man in a l)uel< house in Maiden Lane. 
A. Tiehout spent part of the evening with me. 

December 3d. This morning about'.) the Fire-lxsll 
alarnfd us. Iran out, and,wlien I liad eiiter'd Siiiitli 
Street, beheld the Haines ascending from two or 
three houses near the North Cliiirch. I was liurried 
into a rank out of siglit of the fire; liei'e I perfoi'niM 
the duty of lianding along watei' for alxmt an hour 
when the tire was nearly i-epi-essed by the exertions 
of the people, 7 or S houses l)eing consumed. In 
one of them was Robertson's Printing oHice, and the; 
fine wove paper was trampled into nuish in tlie 
street. 

5th. Tliis morning I paid tlie Tailoi- for Tuy 
Coat. 

A. Tiebout caird upon me about ]<• O'clock & 
jH'opos'd a i-ide to Ilai'lem wlicre he had business. 



130 ALEXANDER ANDERSON, M.D. 

— I agreed to it, & the next thing was to procure a 
chair. We went to several places and at last got one 
in Maiden-Lane. — We arrivVl at Harlem al)out 1, 
somewhat chilled. — After we had eat some bread &, 
cheese and my companion had put a clock in order — 
we drove home-wards, whither we reach'd at half- 
past 3. — I engravVl a little. — In the evening, I was 
preparing to collect some remarkis for G. Baker, 
when Mr. Mcintosh came in and we must have 
some Scotch tunes. — After his departure I wrote a 
letter to Dr. Davidson and something for Mr. Baker, 
loth. In the evening I went to Mr. Bates's, and 
was surpi'ised to find poor Fredei'ick with his head 
shav'd and Ijehaving in a very extravagant manner. — 
He appeai'Vl glad to see me and show'd me the 
musical clock. — The leading Idea in his mind is that 
he is the Almighty again appearing in the flesh, and 
the reading of Richard Brothers's Prophecy has 
been the cause of this paroxysm. — He swears most 
horridly, and curs'd his father in the most dreadful 
terms. — He gave me a Idister plaster which I applied 
to his head. — I sent for my Violin to amuse him ; my 
Brother soon appear'd with one and A. Tiebout Avith 
another. — The effect of the music not being so bene- 
ficial as I expected we left them between S & 1> 
O'clock. 



APPENDIX B. 



131 



15th. Evening. Having ])rocur\l tickets of Mr. 
Baker, A. Tiebout, my Brother and myself went to 
Mrs. Yonles and from thence accompanied her, Miss 
Youle and Miss Davis to the Museum— Miss Youle 
was my companion. After strolling about and feast- 
ing oui' eyes ct ears we went to my Father's, here 
our company sat "till near 1(» when we attended them 
home. — 




DIARY P^OR ITiM;. 



January 1st. Tliis first day of tlie new-year 
passVl ou very smoothly with me. — My Mother's 
.spirits are somewliat depress'd by tlie news of 
my Grand-mother's illness. 

In the afternoon I went with my Brother to visit 
some of our acquaintances. In the first place we 
call'd and enquir'd for Mr. Sam. Johnson, Silver- 
smith, an old friend of my Father's ; he was very ill. 
— We next stopp'd at Rich. Davis's and ate a cake : 
then at Rob. Davis. — AVe extended our walk towards 
the Ship yards. In our way back my Brother stepp'd 
into Dr. Young's. — 

Evening. Mrs. Bailey's wench came to me to get 
a puke of " Hippe gander" (Ipecacuanha) for Miss 
Charlotte — I got one at the Apothecary's and took 
down to her. — 

8th. At 5 O'clock I attended Dr. Rogers's Lec- 
ture, after which I went to Mr. Van Vleck's where 
my Mother & John had gone. — Here I pass'd a 



AIM'KNDIX K IH;? 

very jmrccaMc cvcuiiiii-. ^1''- Ilei'ticll tV: liis wife 
\V(.!iv there, and my old j)la}-inate Benj. E<^l)ert 
raiiic in. — Miss Van Vleck pl.iy'd on the llarpsi- 
clioi'd and hei' Father aeeonipanied it with tlie 
N'iolin. — 

I came home w itli Mamma liefoic 'J. Mr Ucid had 
brouiflit nie £'40 on aecoiint for th(^ euts of (he 
ITierogly|ihie Bible."' — 

Utli. Mueh gratified with hist night's coiiij)iiiiy & 
entertainment — it was rational and exhihiteil a 
[)ietnre of domestic haj)i)iness. 

ilth. Mrs. Bailey woiider'd that "Mamma k('[)t 
my lirothfi' A' me ehce|iing about hei- instead of 
letting us stii" ai)i'oa<l, and make money as Mr. \\ iu- 
staiiley does who was jiaid l.")i> doljai-s for a jjaiut- 
iiig, then standing on I lie mantel piece." — 1 endeav- 
oui'M to convince the good woman that iiinkiiKj 
moiK'jj was not the sole object. — 

l.")th. Kmploy'd the most of the day in stud\ing 
and collecting materials on Mania which 1 propose 
to make the subject of my InaiKjnrnJ Di-'<Kertafioii. — 

Mr. ()ram i-dl'd on me to get a small engraving 
done. — 



* Tlii.-; \v;is a Chilifs l?il>lc. illustrated witli many cuts. 
Tlie iiaiiu.' was a couuuon uiic tluii. 



134 AI.KXANDEH ANDERSON, M.D. 

•J 1st. I finish 'd the out for Formau to-day. At- 
tended Hamersley's Lecture. — 

111 tlie eveniug, I went out ahiiost purposely to 
avoid roiiipany ; and after attending to my two 
patients, trudg'd off to Dr. Young's where I found 
my lirotlier. — Here we sat awhile. — In my ^vay 
home I stopp'd at a Book Auction. — At home I 
found myself in company with A. Tiebout, the two 
Misses Minshulls and Miss Polly Youle. — We en- 
deavour'd to entertain them with music. I attended 
Miss P. Minshull to Mrs. Youle's — found her a very 
sjirightly, agreeable, lively girl. — _,— ^' 

28th. I jiut the cuts for Babcock on board a New 
Haven vessel. — Finished 4 more of another book. — 

In the evening we had company. T. Herttell and 
his wife, Mrs. Si Miss Youle, A. Tieliout & J. Fer- 
guson. Some vocal music being thought necessary, a 
song was exacted from each. — After numerous objec- 
tions & attempts to evade it, I grumbled out some 
pieces of songs to the seeming amusement of the 
company. The Flageolet was likewise calFd for it 
I made out a few tunes with the aid of the violins. — 
Upon tilt' whole the tiiiic was spent agreeably & 
innocently. 

February 5th. To-day Mrs. Hall, one of the Belle- 
vue nurses call'd upon me for another Certificate of 



AI'I'KNDIX H. 137 

her sei'vice there. — Her appearance bespoke poverty 
and her breath betray'd her attachment to the l)ottle 
— Aild these together and wliat is the result but 
misery cfe disease. 

25tli. In tlie afternoon I sat (h>\vn and finish'd 
engraving Stanford's EU^phant 1)cfore I rose. — 

S(|uir(' Pye <b'ank tea witli us. — Tliis old man (7'2 
years) diil not hesitate to carry a l)ag of potatoes 
along the street. He seemM to glory in this, for he 
says " lie lias pride enougli to restrain iiini IVoin 
doing a mean act inn and tliat is enough." 

March '.'th. There has beeu a considerable stir 
among the ^btb-ility aI)out the aftair of Kettletas 
who was tliis day committed to Jail for a publica- 
tion in the Argus. — -They would not suffer him to 
walk but carried him there in a cliair. —A carriage 
was lirought before the City-Hall with the intention 
of drawing home two of the Meml)ers of Assembly 
who had ad\(>cate(l his cause. — 

As I was fifoinc: down Rroad-wav I met the Gov- 
ernor dress'd in his regimentals and sword at his 
side, who enquii d if it was ti'ue that the people liad 
gatherd round the Mayors house. — This not being 
the case he went to the City Hall to leai'ii the state 
of matters. — 

1 7th. I call'd at Mr. Baker's, and there a very 



138 ALEXANDER ANDERSON, M.D. 

pleasing sight attracted iny notice — his four cliil- 
dreu sitting round the fire at tlieir needlework and 
books. Not far off was their motlier sewiuo- and 
attending the baby. — 

oOtli. Whatever cause it may be owing to I have 
been uncommonly harrass'd with disagreealde feel- 
ings. — The death of Mr. A. and the dangerous con- 
dition of Gowdie perliaps contributed to excite this 
state of mind. If to this is added the influence of 
the weather and the want of a steady employment, 
I believe I sliall have enumerated the circumstances 
which have, for this day, made life rathei- burden- 
some to me. — 

A])ril 1st. A very pleasant day. — 

I spent part of the forenoon with Saltonstall, con- 
certing measures for our examinations. — 

I sent to Dr. Mitchill's room half a gallon of wine 
from Huggett's. — 

I applied myself closely to nothing to-day, with 
the hope of l)eing l)etter prepared for answering the 
questions. 

Between 3 and 4 in the afternoon 1 went to the 
C!ollege to await my ordeal, but was obliged to 
run back for my Dissertation which I foi-got to bring 
along. None but Drs. Post, Ilamersley and Hosack 
met ; but these wei'e sutHcient to em]doy me for 



APPENDIX R. 139 

iif.'ir an Ik mi-. — Siiltonstall was next falld down. 
After his exaiuination we itcoIniI permission to 
print the Dissertations. — 

Another task was then itn[)os\l. — We each i-e- 
ceived an Apliorisni of Hippocrates to comment 
upon, and a question to be ansvver'd in writing. — 

The Question was this : 

'• What changes does the lilood nndergo in passing 
tlii'o' the lungs." — 

The Aphorism was the following: 

"In omni morbo niente valere, et Ijene se haljere 
ad ea i[na atteruntiir, bonuni est: contrarium vero 
malum." Hipp. Aph. Sect. 2. Aph. ;^3. 

7th. I met Dr. Hosack in the street, who informed 
me of the intended estaldishmeut of a Botanical 
Garden.- -Enquird if Dr. Anderson,* at St. Vincent, 
was my uncle, and recpiested me to intej'est myself 
in procuring plants from him. — 

I sat awhile with Saltonstall. 

I began to connneut on the Aphoiism. — 

12th. I caird at Dr. Hamer-sley's and got one of 
the Histories of Diseases, in order to conunent upon 
it; tins being the next stej) in the graduation busi- 
ness. 



He visited this luicle in 1790, 



( 



140 ALEXANDEi; ANDKIISON, M.D. 

18tli. Aftei' attending to what business I bad to 
lo, I proposed to A. Tiel)Out a walk in the Jersey. 
Tills was agreed to, and accordingly we set of!" with 
my Brother about 11 O'clock, and had a pleasant 
passage to Paules Hook.* — Our spirits began to I'ise 
as we proceeded, and cheerfulness kept us company 
all the way. — We cross'd Ilackinsack river and 
walk'd a considerable distance alono; the causeway, 
but feeling the gnawings of hunger and despairing 
of reaching Newark in time, we turn'd al)()ut and 
stoppVl at the bridge, where we procuiM a meal of 
bread, butter and cheese. — We return'd to Paules 
Hook, found a boat ready to sail, and about 5 O'clock 
landed safe at the wharf. — I immediately went to 
see the old negro patient. 

21st. This day completes ray 21st year. — 
This morning I received the remainder of my Dis- 
sertations from Swoi'ds's, and paid them iJD.KJ. — I 
went with A. Tiebout to see the Elephant which 
has been lately from India. She is only 2 years old, 
but about the size of a bullock and very plump. — 



* Paules Hook, Paiilus Hook, Paul's Hook, or Pawles Hook, 

was the same place now known as Jersey City, which is a quite 
recent name. Hook is Dutch for corner ; Kinderhook, cliil- 
dreu's corner ; hookey, playing truant, is literally cornering 
or hiding in a corner. 



AI'PKNDIX H. 141 

The sagacity of tlu' animal was astoiiishiiig, and Iht 
liiiiik a great onriosity ; with this she examinM ns 
carefully and seaicliil uiir jiockrts for sonicthing 
eatable. — 

\l'2i}. My patients ai-e now reduced to the nund)cr 
tour. 

In the afternoon my Brotlier and I went out with 
an intention of having a sail to Governors Island ; 
but not being able to get a passage, we walk'd up 
the New I'oad and stopped at a house where we 
drank a liottle of mead. — • 

28th. This morning I took a walk with my 
Bi'other near Lispeiiard's and enjoyed tlie delightful 
landscape enliveifd by the late refreshing shower 
and the beams of the rising snn. — 

After attending to my few patients I crossed the 
ferry* to Brooklyn and saw my Aunt Sz Cousin 
Katy. — I ate a little Ijread t^' l)ntter and i-cturnVl 
home to dinner. 

i'9th. Mr. Ilerttell sent rc(picsting nic to conic and 
diaw h is deceased Avife's likeness; I went and found 

* 'I'he fcn'ics weri' tlu'ii very slow ;m(l mic-diiit'cu-tiililr, jiai'- 
ticulurly in winter. Ildi'so boats begun to bo used about this 
tiinc, or boats iu wliicii horses, by stej)})iiig on a treadmill, 
gave motion to niaehinory which drove the vessel foinvard. 
Hrooklvu at this time had oulv a fvw hundred inhabitants. 



142 ALEXANDER ANDEHSON, M.I>. 

several of tlie relations and neighbours collected in 
the room wliere she was laid out. — I began to sketch 
the features of the corpse, although in a very dis- 
advantageous position for that pui'pose. — The old 
man entered the room, and his sol>s burst forth as 
he stoop'd over tlie head of the bed and view'd the 
original. — The drawing I took with me in order to 
finish it. — 

May 11th. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for 
they shall see God." How impolitic is it then to de- 
file the soul for a little sordid (jain or for the sake of 
exciting a short-lived pleasure. 

I'itli. This being the Anniversary of Tammany, 
an oration was delivei'Vl by Mr. Wortman, in the 
Old Presbyterian Church. — I attended and heard it. 
It might be reckoned an excellent composition, but 
was almost spoilt by the ungraceful gestures of the 
orator. — Just as the Society enter'd the church a 
violent storm of liail began. — 

May 18tli. A. Tiebout brouglit me a most excel- 
lent medicine; viz. 125 dollars (which I had lent 
him) and the interest, amounting to 5 dollars. 

About twelve O'clock I took my trunk and went 
down to Mr. Bailey's. — Augustus got I'eady and we 
trudg'd down to the boat near the Albany pier. 
Here we met with a disappointment, for the boat 



APPENDIX B. 143 

was not to sail 'till his^-li tide. M\ fellow ti'iivdlcr 
began to swear & s])lutter. — 1 preNail'd u[ui\[ him 
to go ht>int' with iiu' and cat sonic bread ami cheese. 
— Between 3 it 4 we set sail, and, after narrowly 
escaping being iiiu dnwn Ity a vessel and breaking 
an Indiaman's windows, we glided along very i)leas- 
antly. When we came in sight of the lighthouse, 
the wind died away and we must content ourselves 
with sleeping on board supperless. — A. B. found 
means to hold a conversation with almost everyone 
on board. — He began to show us a specimen of his 
dancing abilities and perfoiinM a numlici- of 
nianoeu\rcs while I whistled For him. — 

14tli. I got a nap last night, upon a bed of ,/<)trn. 
— right ha 1(1 wood. — 

About 7 this morning we landed at South Am- 
boy. — Breakfasted at the Stage-house, where we met 
with very good treatment, and then seated ourselves 
in the Stage, to the nuni])ei' of 14 or 15. — Mr. Ellis, 
who keeps the Porter House — from London ; Corre 
and his tbur children going to make ice-cream in 
Philadelphia; a fat old <^)uaker; two Scotch travel- 
ling traders; a Flat Imsh scholar; an old Poman 
Catholic Irish lady, Szv. — With these we jogged on 
very checiily, while .\. V>. was incessantly talking 
or singing. \\ hen some doses of liipioi' had raisM 



144 ALEXANDER ANDERSON, M.D. 

the Porter House keeper to the due pitcli, he 
entered into an argument with the old Lady on 
Popery & Pi-i ester aft. — Next turn'd his batter}^ 
against the Quaker and gave him several emjihatic 
oaths. — The Quaker was to l)e set down on the 
road, — but it seems he was going off without pay- 
ing. — This furnish'd a matter of triumph for the 
rest of our gentry and particularly his opponent. — 
Before dark we arriv'd at Burlington and dinVl or 
rather supp'd at the Stage-house. — After this we 
stepp'd on board a boat and sail'd gently down the 
Delaware. 

15th. Sunday. I had another wooden nap last 
night. On waking early this morning I found my- 
self along side of a wharf in Philadelphia. — Mr. 
Bailey and I ^vent ashoi'e and stroll'd al)Out the 
streets. — Met three suspicious-looking fellows who 
enquir'd what o'ckick it was. — My companion 
snubb'd them up very shortly and we went on. 
We went on lioard again and slept 'till daylight. — 
Left our baggage at one Redmond's, an accpiaint- 
ance of B.'s, and went in search of a lodging. After 
a long and fruitless search we return'd to Red- 
mond's and breakfasted. — We were very well 
treated ct were not suffer'd to ])ay, although the 
house was a ta\'ern. — We took another walk. — At 




Khli; Lear, ei)<;ijLtv:M \j) ±#1. .xuuc-tev^n im ail vditiMu 111 Slwiixt'Spcaru. |MlMisllL>(i 

by ML'tisff CooIoil;;c <t Urothcr. 



AIM'KN'DIX i;. 1-17 

last we foiiiid a lodging in Nortli Fourtli .street, at 
Ellist's. 

16th. Tolerably recruited l>y a good night's rest. 

After breakfast, he (A. B.) went out, and I was 
in hopes that I should have at least half the day to 
myself. — But whom should I meet in a short time 
after but my gentleman, driving along Front St. — 
He tui-u'd about and kept me company. — We saw 
the ship-yards, «fcc. — Stopp'd in at a^NIead-house and 
drank some mead. 

Visited Peale's Museum in the State-house yard. 
Went to the Cono-ress-room and listen'd awhile. — 
We next viewed the Exhibition of Painting and 
Sculpture (in High St.), which was iiighly gi'atify- 
ing. — Ivetuiii'd to our lodgings, and then set off to 
one Billington's, where A. B. had invited me to 
dine. — We were very politely treated at this house 
and entertain'd with Miss Billington's music. — Here 
again I was in pain for my companion. His con- 
versation and ijeha\ iour were aljsurd. Just after 
dinner he propos'd a walk to Gray's Gardens. We 
arriv'd there in less than an lioiu'. — I was delighted 
with the romantic lieauty of this seat. — We got a 
glass of sangaree ct stn)ird over the gardens. — 

17th. I rose at this morning and was not a 
little pleased to heai' my fellow-traveller say that 



148 ALEXANDER ANDERSON, M.D. 

he was just going off for New York. I took a walk 
after breakfast to enquire for tlie Baltimore Packet 
Boats. — Went to Mr. Savage's Columbian Galleiy, 
and spent about an hour very agreeably in viewing 
tlie Prints & Paintings. — Next I call'd upon Mr. 
Cummings,* who inform'd me of the Medical Com- 
mencement. — I found out the College and ai'riv'd 
in time to liear the examination of 7 graduates, and 
saw the Degrees conferr'd. — The Examiners were 
Drs. Rush, Wistai', Kuhn Sl Woodhouse. 

I met two I'eal Cliinese in the street. 

18th. This nioi'ning I settled with my landlord 
and put my baggage on boai'd a Newcastle packet. 
Went to the State-house and view'd the Senate 
Chamber. — Sat awhile in the Gallei'y of the Lower- 
House and look'd over a newspaper which I had 
got at Claypoole's. — 

Walk'd about the city 'till near 12, when I went 
to Biggs's and sat awhile. — A thought struck me 
that the vessel might l)e going off. I hurried down 
to the wliarf and actually beheld it under way in 
the stream — 1 call'd to a, sailor who was rowing a 
little boat & prevail'tl on him to set me on board. — 
Gave him 1 /(>. 



* He carried a letter dI' iiil idiliictiou to Mr. C'uiiuiini^s I'l-om 
1!. Davis. 



AI'I'KNDIX I!. 14U 

The iiKHiiiiig \\;is i-;iiiiv, Idit it soon i-lfaiM U]) and 
we bud a prutty ftivouralde l)reeze. — The view of 
the coimtiy oa each side tlie Delaware was delight- 
ful.— 

In the aftcnionii the ('apt. lnoiiglit to the vessel 
at Marcus Hook, licca\isc tlu- wind had shifted; or 
I'ather Ijeeause hf had ndatioiis in the village who 
would get the custom of the i)assengers. 1 went 
to another house and dinM upon good l)read ife l)ut- 
ter. The reniainih'r of the afternoon i s])ent in 
walking about and viewing tlu' country. — 

At dark I went to 1)ed and slept 'till 1 1, wluui I 
found the vessel under way. — Some of the passen- 
gers had l)een playing cards and coiitinueil it 'till 
day-light. — We had on board a Frenchman and a 
Dutch Jew who were bantering each other about 
Bacon and Frogs. — The Jew, at last, exasperated 
every one on l)oard by declaring that lie had lost 1:5 
tlollars. The Capt. threafeiiM to prosecute him. — 

l!)th. Before day we arrived at New-Castle. 
Went to the Staire-house and were very ill used, for 
they I'l'Tused to ^'ive us auythiiiL:' to eat or ilriiik l)e- 
fore day-light. — Wt' went t() another house and got 
breakfast. — 

Almost every occurrence conti-ilmted to render 
this day disagreeable to me. — At suni'ise the appear- 



150 ALKXANDKR ANDKUSON, M.P. 

ance of tlie sky was beautiful, but a rainbow iu the 
west t'oiel)oded the rain that soon succeeded. — 

A) tout 5 O'clock we stepp'd into the Stage-coach, 
and between 8 tfe; 9 reached French-town, a distance 
of al)Out 18 miles. — 

I caught cold yesterday and had recoiu'se to But- 
termilk and cold water; but this was not sufBcient 
to remove it. — The jolting of tlie stage l)rought on a 
violent headache, and the breakfast which I ate at 
French-town perhaps increas'd it. — The Baltimore 
Packet lay oft' at some distance, and we were rowM 
to lier in the I'ain. This was V)y no means in my 
favour; but the worst is to come. — As we were 
scudding under a heavy gale, and I lay in a berth, I 
happen'd to draw back the sash of one of the port 
windows. The vessel suddenly heeled and the 
water came pouring into my bosom, so that I was 
completely drenched before the sash could be shut. — 
A man in the berth l^elow me spriuig out of bed as 
soon as I did, for tlie water had run thro' and serv'd 
him in tlie same way. — This, to be sure, gave rise to 
some mirth, Imt it was a ])oor plaster foi- me. — 

About S in the evening we landed at Bowler's 
wharf in Baltimore, having I'un 70 miles in 11 hours, 
(on the Chesapeake). — 

Accoi'ding to the Captain's (Hrection I went with 



APPENDIX B. 151 

two young men to one Mrs. Edw.-irds's tor lodging. — 
The appearance of the house by no means pleas'd 
me. — In the back room was a billinrd ta})le. The 
Captain soon came in, and we all drank tea with the 
landlady, who seem'd very desii'ous of showing to 
advantage the little beatity which she possessed. 

Two of us were shown to a small room in which 
were crainmM three beds; bnt we were obliged to 
stow ourselves into one, while the othei" two were 
to be occupied by — we knew not whom — peihaps 
pick-pockets or highwaymen. I griunbled, and my 
bed-fellow curs'd the place up hill aud (hum dulc. 

!20th. I have sutlVrd mncli to-day. It cannot 
therefore be expected that I liaxc much to s;iy on 
any other subject than my com[)hiints. 

I rose at 5 this moiniiig, and, happening to look 
in a glass, found mv cheek so swclTd that I bore a 
great reseml)lance to a monkey on one side of my 
face. — Having paid for my entertainment, I took a 
walk and found out an Apothecary of whom I got 
some volatile liniment. — Return'd to the Packet-boat, 
and anointed my cheek with it. — This afforded a 
tempoi'ary relief. — I went to another shop and got a 
plaster, which I clap)>'d on, and then went to look 
for lodgings. — I found out a Mrs. Lavely, an old 
Quaker-looking body, and engaged with her. 



152 ALEXANDER ANDERSON, M.D. 

After breakfast 1 w alkM out, aud in the vicinity 
of the city pick VI up some minerals. I went to a 
third Apothecary and bought a dose of Jalap and 
Nitre which I took iiuiiiediately. — I soon experienced 
the good effects of its operation, and, after I had 
drunk some tea, fett tlie truth of the ol)servation 
that Pleasure consists chiefly in relief from jxiin. — 
How insipid would Life be without intervals of pain, 
care, anxiety and disappointment ! 

21st. This is a place of great business ; — so l)usy 
are the people that they have not yet had time to 
put up at the corners the names of the streets. The 
town is ]iot yet incorporated, although it has often 
been propos'd in the Assembly — so great is the spirit 
of Democracy which reigns here. — 

I spent most of the foi-enoon in walking about the 
town. From a bank opposite the bay I collected 
some specimens of ii'on oi'e which appears to form a 
stratum at the depth of a foot or two under the 
town and all the adjacent countiy. Contiguous to it 
are beds of red ochre in many places. 

After dinner I took a walk with a young man 
who lodges at the same house with me, and view'd 
the works and machinery of a mill. I spent the re- 
mainder of tlie afternoon in walking about. Fol- 
l(jw'd the course of a sti'eam calFd JoiietiS 7']/7/.s, 



Ai'PKNuix I!. ir)r) 

wliicli tui-ns several mills, iuul whose liorders, grac'd 
with trees, form some eiicliaiitiiig soeues. — 

2'2d. Sumlay. I paid off my old landlady this 
iiu)rning and put my baggage on board the same 
l)oat in which I came, to return to Philadelphia. 
At U we set sail from l>altimore with a fair wind. — 
Several jokes were thrown out about the Capt. and 
the handsome widow, his landlady. — 

I sav'd the expense of a dinner, which would have 
been a dollar, by a fit of sea-sickness coming on me 
very seasonably for the good of my purse by the 
mortiticatiou of my Ijody. — Among the passengers 
was a young lady of plecma-e, (if such an abuse of 
words ma}- l»e allowed). — She was pale and sickly, 
but sti'uck the fancy of the Capt. who was very 
familiar with her. — 

At 6 we ai'riv'd at French-town, and after getting 
some bread and l)utter stepj)'d into the stage. — At 
this time of the day the ride was very pleasant. — 
There Avere three sisters in the stage, rough country 
girls deck'd off with their best clothes. A young 
Philadelphia Quaker, who sat near me, soon had 
his ai'Hi round one of tlieni and was bussing her 
with a very good-will during the jouiuey. — A 
tVllow from somewhei'e back in the woods went 
through the same ceremony with another, and a 



156 ALEXANDEH ANDERSON, M.D. 

young TrishiJiau was chattering nouseiise with the 
third. 

At y we reaeh\l New-Castle, and some of us pro- 
cured supper and very good lodging at a small tavern 
instead of the 8tage-hoiise. — 

23d. The young Irishman, my bed-fellow, inform'd 
me that I had lieen "talking Latin and the devil it; 
all," in my sleep, and had started up once or twice. — 

We set sail about 8 (3 clock with a very favoui'- 
al»le wdnd, and at li' arrived at the wharf in Phila- 
delphia. — I went to my old lodgings, and din'd. 

2-l:th. I was call'd up this morning at '2 O'clock 
to take my seat in the stage. I ]iaid (i dollars and 
gave something to the man who call'd me up, and 
then got into the stage-wagon, where I found a 
young man. The moi'ning wasraiuy and Cdhl. The 
rain clear d off later, however, and the country ap- 
pear'd to great advantage. Every turn presented 
us with a succession of charming landscapes. 

We din'd at New Brunswick, and here we were 
join'd by two gentlemen and a very handsome young 
lady. — She affected to be mightily alarm'd at one of 
the horses, who was somewhat unruly, and must 
needs turn about and sit with lin- liaciv to tlicm. — 

Arrived at Paules Hook al)out (J'clock. — Had a 
tedious passage across the river Sz once more enter d 



AIM'ENIHX I!. 157 

New- York. — Found my Fatlier's Janiily ;ill in 
health. 

June 4th. I icc'civM a Ic^ttci' IVoni Mr. Ynu Zandt, 
containing an art-onnt of tlic state of liis child, to- 
gether with a re(|iiest that I wonld see it. — Went to 
Titus's andde.sir'd him to Fuinish me with a horse. — 
1 got one which gave n.ie such a rattling as I have 
not had in a long time — for it seems that he went 
the faster the nioi'e he was held in. — So expeditious 
was he that my journey of 5 miles and back again 
was performVl in aliout an lioiir ; Imt not without 
some ris<|Ue of running over people in the sti'eet and 
the hazard of "s])iHing me off" while driving along 
like ■hilnniij (riljiiii. 

14th. I began to enter upon my new mode of life, 
wliich is the following: — I make my home at my 
rooms,* and sleep there; but eat at my Father's. — 

Got a slate and fix'd up in my entry, tfe nail'd up 
ray sign, and j^erform'd some other important opera- 
tions. 

L'Oth. I had agreed to make one of a party to view- 
the niai;ic lanthorn in tlie t'vening.-— Went to liai- 
ley's whei'e I found my .Mother, ami after tea at- 
tended Miss Harriet to the Museum w itli the rest. — 

* 31 Liberty Street, for wliicli he piiid £.30 rent. 



158 ALEXANDER ANDERSON, M.D. 

Hei-e we heard some music and then proceeded to the 
Menagerie ixw\ seated ourselves in Mr. Baker's* little 
observatory. — Saw the exhibitions of the magic 
lanthorn. — Had mead and cakes, and upon the 
whole pass'd the time very agreeably. 

23d. In my visit to the poor consumptive woman,f 
a group of luuiiiliating circumstances presented 



* (iardiner Baker was tlien the keeper of tlie curiosities of 
the Tammauy Societ}'. This society was organized on the 
12th of May, 1780, about two weeks after General Washing- 
ton liad taken tlie oatli of otHce as President of the United 
States. The first Sachem was William Mooney, and Gardiner 
Baker was Wiskiuskie, or doorkeeper. The next year it 
founded a museum witli somewliaf tlie same objects in view 
wliicli tlie Historical Society had later. "A room was granted 
for its use in the City Hall" (then at the corner of Nassau and 
Wall streets, where the Sub-Treasury is now), " and Gardiner 
Baker was apjiointed to take charge of the collection. In 
1794 it was removed to a brick building standing directly in 
the middle of the street at the intersection of Broad and Pearl 
streets, called the Exchange. The lower part was used as a 
market, but the upper j^art, being light and airy, was well 
calculated for displaying the many curiosities which now by 
the indefatigable exertions of Mr. Baker had been collected. 
lie had taken so much pains and incurred so much expense in 
getting it up that he could, with good reason, make a claim 
upon it. It was therefore given up to him, upon condition 
that it should lie forever known as the Tammany JInseum, in 
honor of its founders, and that each member of the Society 
an<l his family sliould have free access to it. This museum, 
aifter the death of Baker, was sold to Mr. W. J. Waldron, and 
after passing through various hands formed the foundation of 
what was afterwards called Scudder's Museum, in Chatham 
street." — R. G. Hovton, in Valentine's Mamuil for 18(55, 
p. 800. 

f He had seen her the jirevious day. 



APPENDIX 15. 159 

themselves to me. — The sick woman was struggling 
against the disease and tlie sad news of lier son's 
death. — The old house, built in tlie ancient Dutch 
style, was shattered and disjoiu'd in several places, 
and seem'd ready to fall u[ion its wretched tenant. — 
This might appear to he the summit of human 
nnsery. — Yet, ho\\' unable are we to measure good 
cfe evil by the external appearances of things! — The 
woman appears composed, and looks forward with 
serenity to death. — 

July 2d. The Capt.* callM on me, agreeably to his 
promise and settled my bill, f;).] 1, foi- attendance on 
(i of his hands. The attendance upmi the Hoxpitdl 
SJiip, as the Captain calls her, was a profitable job 
for me. My success in the treatment of the sick 
was greater than I could expect. 

4th. Anniversary of American Inde^iendence. 

About 10 O'clock I went to Mr. Mabie's in Pearl 
Street, and from his windows had a view of the pro- 
cession. Mr. liable entertained the company veiy 
genteelly and had provided a variety of refresh- 
ments. 

I exerted myself to get my business done in order 
that T might join in the plan of I'ecreation which ouv 

* ('apt. Soper of tlic sliip Amy. 



160 ALEXANDER ANDERSON, M.D. 

Family & A. Tiebout were to be engaged in. — This 
was the plan. — We were to take a coach ride to 
Gray's, spend the afternoon tliei'e and make our- 
selves as happy as possil)le. — These objects we all 
accomplish \1 ; at least T can speak for myself. — A. 
Tiebout, my lirother and I took a walk to a house 
of Entei'tainment a little fai'tlier up the Greenwich 
road, and got some lemonade. — We went to a 
nu'.'idow adjacent and diverted ourselves with tum- 
bling and jumping 'till Ave were pretty well exer- 
cis'd and had acquired nn aj^petite. Keturn'd to 
Gi'ay's & took coffee. 

The coaclnnan was to retui'n at H ; but in this he 
disappointed us. A. Tiebout and I walkVI on; the 
rest of the company met the carriage by tlie way. 
At home I foiuid my mother in high spirits and 
much pleas'd with our entertainment. 

nth. The aftei'noou pass'd pretty agreeably be- 
twixt business and study. — In the evening A. Tie- 
bout call'd on me, and we ^veut to Delacroix's Ice- 
house — a place of Entertainment lately fitted up — 
ate some ice cream, and then took a walk on the 
Battery. 

25th. I have experienced the hurtful effects of too 
much sleep, having lain till near (> for several morn- 
ings past ; and have uniformly found an uncommon 



APPENDIX H. 163 

laiiuuor iiiid (lisatrreeable affection of the liead re- 
niainiiig tliroiigli tbe day. 

Au2:ust '2(1. A. Tiel)ont and I have started some 
notions about flying, which from several considera- 
tions appears practicable by man. — T. is to make 
some inachiiiery for an experiment. 

4th. I found three others of my patients in an un- 
favoni'able situation. — I began to feel like a mariner 
l)('nighted among shoals & quicksands. — One of Mrs. 
Harris's friends proposed sending for another Phy- 
sician. — I rec] nested that she would first try the ap- 
plication of a blister ])laster over her stomach. She 
did, and in a short time the pain was entirely re- 
moved. In tiie evening I saw tlie three other pa- 
tients again, and had I'eason to think 1 eould avoid 
the slinals A- (|uicksands, \vith the blessing of Provi- 
dence. 

nth. This forenoon I took a walk to the house 
w here (1. Baker's family have removed. It is about 
a mile from town, adjoining to the spot of groimd 
now inclosing for the ascent of the balloon. Mr. 
Blanchard was busy with the l)alloon which cover'd 
the tloui' of a large room. 

Last eveuing I ate two glasses of ice-cream witli 
the hope of curing a cold. — This did not answer the 
jiurpose effectually. — After tea I took a dose of salts. 



164 ALEXANPEK ANPKRSON, M.P. 

7tli. Sunday. I have Leeu veiy miicli under the iii- 
iiueuce of fear, this day. For some wise intention 
of Providence T have lieen liarrass'd witli such disa- 
greeable feelings that Life was rather a l)urdtMi to 
me. In spite of all my endeavours to attain Forti- 
tude and Resignation to whatever happens a fear of 
future evil has depress'd my spirits. 

I found Mrs Egbert rather worse, and hence 
arose a degree of anxiety. — The family expi-ess'd a 
wish to have Di'. Rogei's callVl in. — Somehow or 
other I have inil>ihed such a dread of consultations 
that the name struck me veiy disagreeably. — I l)e- 
lieve this anti})athy may be tracM to Pride, and 
Ambitii>n to act without the aid of others. 

KUh. I heai'd of an incident really laughable. — 
One of Debow's patients had, in the beginning of 
his complaint, sent for a person who called himself 
Dr. Smith. — This doctor, in the first place, gave the 
poor fellow an emetic, and then desired him to send 
for some brandy to bathe him with. Put it seems 
that the doctoi- had a great partiality for the inter- 
nal use of such a me<licine, and made so free with it 
tliat he was obliged to lie down beside his patient. 
The ])(>oi- fellow found him a very unruly l)ed-fel- 
low, for he was almost presis'd to death by the doc- 
tor. — " l"'or (rod's-sake, Doctor, do get up, or I shall 



AIM'KNDIX B. Kif) 

be janim'd to death," cries the patient.- — At last lie 
made out to precipitate him to the floor, and there 
he lay 'till morning. — lie then went out to look for 
his hat which had fallen out of the window as he 
lean'd his head on the edge. — The Dr. was dismiss VI 
because his patient did not like rv^/z/y/Yvs/o// in fe- 
vers. 

September 1st. A. Tiebout came & was veiy 
merry. -I jilayM a few tunes and we wei'e both in 
a merry key. lie accompanied me to my shop. — 
J. Ferguson canic in and a few jokes cS: jibes passed. 
— AVe heanl a cry of "Stoji thief." — Fei'guson started 
up, overset a chair tS: frightened my landlady ])ro- 
digiously. — We ran out, and saw a gentleman col- 
laring a fellow & declaring that his coim-adc had 
stolen his hat oft' his head. — We follow'd on witii 
the crowd, and enter'd the watch-house. — The gen- 
tleman desir'd the prisoner would be takcti care of, 
and promised to appear against him in the morning. 
"At .') O'clock," says one of the watclnnen. — "At 
5 !" answer'd the ]i]aintitf ; " why I shan't be u]) 
'till ;>." — The crowd seemed highly diverted with 
this atfair. Tiic man was next taken to AMerman 
Fui'inan's, whei'e I left him pleailing his innocence. 

tlth. In the evening I took the diops to Van 
Vleck's. lleai'd some music from the young ladies. 



166 ALEXANDKK ANnERSON, M.D. 

Here I sat above an hour, not from choice, foi- com- 
pany was dropping in and I wishM myself a^vay 
long before. — The foolish fear of appearing awk- 
ward in taking leave imposed this restraint upon me. 

9th. I went & got a ticket for my Brother in the 
Harvard College Lottery. This is a jiresent from 
my Mother ; but the matter is to l)e couceal'd from 
him 'till the drawing. If a pi'ize turns up,'"' he is to 
have it ; if a blank, no harm is done. — My Mother 
otfer'd me a share in this ticket, but I refus'd it. 

l.'4th. Mi's. Penny display 'd herself in a most 
ridiculous light, with the aid of her dear liquor. — 
1 met her just by the door, as I was coming out. — 
She was staggering and bawling with a voice like a 
boatswain. "Dr. Anderson," says she, "these are 
fine doings ; all the girls and married women falling 
in love with you." — I made the best of my way out 
to avoid the tliunder of her eloquence. 

Octol.)er 4th. I got a sa^vyer to procui'e me some 
hickory wood. He brought me two loads. — I have 
bespoke two more, and when my chimney is swept 
may bid defiance to the cold — at least within my 
own precincts. I met ]\Ir. Van Vleck this afternoon. 
He turn'd about and took me to see a little boy 

* The ticket drew a prize of i^lG. 



APPENDIX B. 107 

with an abscess on the thigh. — I find something 
very agreeal)le in Mr. V. V. lie appears to pass 
through life witli sueli an easy indiiferenoe, tliougli 
l)y no means an inactive iiu'inber of society. He is 
entertaining in conversation, a wai-m Republican, 
and fond of relating & licaring the news ; and on 
such occasions, seems to be much intei'ested in the 
fate of nations. 

8th. Among the transactions of this day I find 
none really worthy of notice, — The fact is, my 
thoughts have been directed towards a certain ob- 
ject, in spite of my employments. Whether novelty 
may have founded a temporary attachment foi' this 
object,* or whether tlie anxiety which mingles it- 
self with these reflections denotes some stronger im- 
pression, I dare not yet pi'onounce.— At present I 
find it incumbent on me to proceed with cautious 
ste])s and to obviate disap[)ointment l)y repressing 
all sanguine hopes of happiness. — 

17th. My Father had been invited to Van 
Vleck's this evening to hear the young ladies' music. 
— I went there about 7. The room was filled with 
company. The time pass'd away very agreeably, 
and I found it 10 O'clock before I was ready to start. 

* Miss Ann Van Vleck, whom he married on the 16tli of 

the following April. 



168 ALEXANDER ANDERSON, M.D. 

My Father was liiglily pleas VI with his entertain- 
ment. — "It's a heavenly family ;" says he, " I don't 
wonder that the boys are fascinated with them." 

18th. This evening was pitchVl upon for view- 
ing the Museum by a party of us. — I had the pleas- 
ure of waiting upon Miss N. who was much delight- 
ed with the experiments in electricity. — My Broth- 
er's attempts to kiss Miss Jane, while insulated, ex- 
cited no small mirth, when they were separated by 
the fire flying from their noses. 

25tli. Mr. Hyslop, an old acquaintance of my 
Father s came for me to see his servant girl. He 
introduc'd me to Mr. Eoberts, an ingenious young 
man lately from Scotland. — I went up into his room 
with him. His business is engraving, and he has 
made considerable proficiency in that art without 
any instructions. — In one corner of his room stood 
several instruments of music, aud his manner of 
handling the clarionet proves him to have a good 
ear for music. 

November 4th. I spent most of the evening at 
Van Vleck's, and heard Miss Nancy play on the 
Forte Piano. — I gave them some tunes on my flageo- 
let, which 1 had in my pocket. — Miss M. presented 
me with a piece of wedding cake, to dream upon. 

December Gth. I spent the afternoon chiefly in 




DR. ALEXANDER ANDERSON. 
(Engraved by himeelf in his ciglity-flrst year. 



APPENDIX H. 171 

druwiiiij, and at caii(lle-lia:lit fiuisli'd an embleinati- 
cal picture (the Temple of Hymen). — 

In the evening, notwithstanding the rain, I went 
to Van Vleck's, and presented the picture to Miss 
N. — Heard some music on the Harpsichord. 

9th. I was rons'd last night to witness a scene 
trnly awful. About 1 O'clock the fire l>ells began. 
I listeuVl and thought I heard somebody in the 
street say that a store near the Coffee-house was on 
fire. — I hurried on my clothes, aiul ran \vith trej)ida- 
tion towards my Father's. I had the satisfaction ti» 
find that it was not on his side of the way, but on 
the other, and some distance below on the wharf. — 
The flames were Ijursting fi'om a store, and the 
people were crowding goods into my Father's and 
arouud the door. — I assisted in taking care of them 
for above an lioui-. The wind was not high, but the 
tire spread rapid !}• among the wooden stores, and by 
4 O'clock I'eign'd nnister of the whole block ex- 
teinling to the Fly-j\larket.* The cutting down of 
the mai'ket and the exertions of the firemen put a 



* At the time the tirst, or \'laie Market, \v;i.s built, a creek 
extended througli Pearl Street from Maiden Lane to the East 
River. The term " Fly ^larket'" is a corruption of the one 
originally adopted, \'laie, meaning to imply the valley or 
meadow market. 



172 ALEXANDER ANDERSON, M.D. 

stop to its progress in tliat direction. I served in 
the ranks near the market 'till I saw that the con- 
flagration was check'd. — 

14th. The Rev'd Mr. Pilniore enter'd Mr. Bates's 
room just as I was going to take my leave. His l)e- 
haviour was really disgusting tome. After express- 
ing his concern for Mr. Bates, he rose from his chair 
and was much afraid that he had taken my seat, 
and with that, ran across the room and handed 
another to me. He then address'd himself to the 
company and assur'd them that he was very haj)py 
to see me, — that I was a person " who feai-'d God," 
ttc. I wish'd them good day and hurried off. 

G. Warner, Junr. came up to me to-day, and ui-g'd 
me to go and vote at the Poll. I \veut to the City 
Hall* and look'd in at the door; but my heart fail'd 
me and I turn'd back. — 

16th. I made my appearance at the Poll and 
gave in my vote foi' a liejiresentative. — I should 
have overlook'd this business entirely if Azariah 
Williams had not urg'd me veiy earnestly. 

31st. Pleasant weather for the last day of the 
year. I undertook to make a cure of Thomas Hol- 



* Tlie old City Hall, at the corner of Wall and A'assau 
streets. 



APPENDIX B. 



173 



lock, the laypoclioiulriac man, who has, for a long 
time, "suflfered many tilings of many Pliysicians." 
My chief dependence is on Opium. I stopp'd 
at Van Vleck's this forenoon, and there I leai-nt 
that Miss N. would be at I)r. Young's in the even- 
ing. — I went there about <5. — Sat awhile and play'd 
a few tunes. — Miss iS'. and I were pretty well ban- 
terd about getting nianic(1, j)articularly by John 
Herttell — We came away between 7 and s. Went 
to the Moravian Church ; but did not go in, for we 
sat in a room of the adjoining house by a good fire, 
where we could hear distinctly enough. 




DIARY FOR 1797. 



January 1st. In the evening mj Brother and I 
went to Mr. Van Vleck's. Mr. Rausch was there at 
the Piano Forte and Mr. V. closely attending liini. 
Mr. Horneke was sitting and playing pranks witli 
the young ladies. — The latter took his leave, and we 
set off for Dr. Young's with Misses N. and J. — Spent 
part of the evening there, and then walked to my 
1^'ather's. 

I took the liberty to salute Miss N. with a kiss, at 
parting. 

My Father, my Brother and I call'd on Mi\ 
Banks, to-day, and wish'd him the compliments of 
the season. — A neglect of this would have been an 
unpardonable affront. The old gentleman lays in 
70 wt of cakes for iiis ac(piaintance on such occa- 
sions. 

'22(1. Sunday. Miss N. Van Vleck drank tea and 
spent the evening with us. By the aid of my 



APPENDIX I{. 175 

MotluT wc caiiR' ti) all explanation, and I had the 
happiness to hear Miss N. consent to our union for 
life, before next May. 

February 14tli. Mr. Van Vleck inform'd me of a 
vacant house in Beekman Street.* We went and 
view'd it. The rent is £180, which, at the present 
rate, is not extravagant. Miss N's approbation of 
it almost determined me to engage the house. — 

loth. This morning I Aveiit and bespoke the 
house. — Mr. Roe, the person who lets it, mention'd 
something about securitv, as we were straufjers to 
each other. However, he did not urge the neces- 
sity of that, after my Father had an interview with 
him. -All obligation was siguM by each of us and 
the business was over. 

17tli. Mrs. Neil cali'd on me again to make some 
enquiries about the Health Committee. — She began 
to dilate on her usual theme, the abuses at the Hos- 
]>ital on the Island. I was fairly tired of her talk 
before she left me. As to attending her family 
gratis, I am willing at any time, and have done so ; 
but tlie tliought struck me that she would be l)etter 
employed in taking care of her little children than 
in talking me to death. 

* 45 Beekman Street. 



176 ALEXANDER ANDERSOK, M.D. 

20tli. To-(l;iy I had a sight of Palme); the blind 
pi'eacher, together with Stvaii tlie Pedestrian. The 
first, a Deist, and tlie hitter, an Atheist. — 1 was at 
Fellows's Library when Stuart came in, leading the 
other. — A very odd conversation took place between 
these two champions and Mr. Fellows, in which 
Stuai't display'd the singular turn of his mind in 
forcible language. The others laugh'd heartily at 
his idea of praying to the audience instead of the 
Deity. 

21st. I went to the Assembly room in William 
Sti'eet & view'd the paintings there exposed for 
sale. I spent part of the afternoon &. evening 
with Miss N. — I proposed a walk, to which she 
agreed, although she had two blisters behind her 
ears. — We ascended Bunker Hill* in our way, and 
from thence took a view of the city. 

28d. I invited Miss N. to accompany me to 
the Theatre this evening. Persuaded my Father 
and Mother to join the party. We procured the 

* Bayard's Mount, sometinios called Bunker Hill, was a 
high hill, overlooking all the surrounding country, and situ- 
ated near the present Grand and t'entre streets. It was on 
the farm of Nicholas Bayard, which extended along the west 
side of the Bowery from (!anal street South to Bleecker street 
on the North, and across Broadway to Macdougal street on the 
.West, and comprised more than sixty of our present city blocks. 



APPENDIX B. 177 

front seat of diKi of the side boxes. — Tlie ('Oiiunly 
was Speculation and the Entertainment, Don Jiian^ 
or the Libertine Destroy'd. At 11 "tlie farce was 
over," and I attended my partner liome. — 

Marcli .'5d. It is lucky for me tliat I liavc but lit- 
tle l)usiuess to attend to, for that cii'cumstance gives 
me a better opportunity of com])leting my present 
Iwhhij-liofHe. 

Old Mr. Boyd, for whom 1 had prepared a cer- 
tain medicine, call'd for it this morning. He jok'd 
me about marrying hix girl (as he calls her). Mr. 
Holloway came to get his forehead dressed. He has 
receivM a wound with a very singulai' weapon ; viz. 
another person's head, which came in contact with 
his last night, while walking the street. 

4tli. This afternoon the ptil>lic were amused with 
a balloon sent up by Blanchard. — To the balloon 
was suspended a Parachute with some live animals, 
which at a considerable height was disengaged from 
the balloon and fell to the ground. — The descent 
was very rapid ami must have given the poor dogs 
and cats little chance for theii- lives. My Brother 
and i went to ^'all Vleck's, and from the roof of his 
house had a good view of the fate of the balloon, 
which after traversing far to the eastwanl caught 
fire and fell. — 



178 ALEXANDER ANDERSON, M.D. 

10th. Having consicler'd tlie numerous instances 
of the good effects of Joyce's Balsam and liaving 
been furnish'd with the recipe by my Grand-moth- 
er, I began to collect the ingredients, and in the 
course of the afternoon made above two pounds of 
it. — The preparation of this, according to my Gi'and- 
mother's process, w^ould have been a business of 
several days. — 

28th. I have been troubled with very disagree- 
able feelings to-day. — Can it be possible that the 
Moon has so threat an influence on our bodies. I 
really have reason to confess its unaccountable 
opei'ation, from ol)servations on myself. 

April 16th. Sunday. I went to Church in the 
evening and heard a discourse from Mr. Moore ; 
waited for him at the door and walk'd with him to 
Van Vleck's. — There, encircled by a room full of 
company, Miss Ann Van Vleck gave me her hand, 
and we were united in the bonds of Wedlock. — A 
propitious hour to me, in which the most amiable 
of her sex, blooming with innocence and beauty, 
became mine. 

'27th. I drank tea at Van Vleck's with a room 
full of young ladies, and on such a tri/ing occasion 
I was obliged to make great exertions to behave 
easy. — I must say that I could face the ijelhvj fever. 



APPENDIX B. 179 

with all its horrors, with more composure than a 
strange company. 

'29th. This afternoon I went with Mrs. A. to 
Greenwood's and saw liiui lix an artificial tooth in 
her jaw. — His price was ."> dolhirs. 

May 28th. I had several things to attend to, &, 
amono; others, to dinw a sketch of a ticket for the 
Hospital, from an idea of Di'. Mitchill's — Apollo de- 
stwyiiig tin- Pijthon, which he supposes is an alle- 
gory of the power of tlic Sun in dissipating conta- 
gious matter. 

June 3d. This forenoon I found the difficulty of 
breathing return. — I was determined to try the ef- 
fects of wine in this case, not from a fondness foi- 
that li(|uor, but from a conviction of its necessity. — 
I set off to go to the new Vnn.rhull, Imt, through a 
mistake, enter'd the house ne.xt to it and was serv'd 
with a glass of ice-cream instead of wine. I dis- 
patch'd the cream, and, after viewing a ( \iiiura 
ohscura, came away. — I took several glasses of wine 
at my Father's without feeling any into.xication, but 
with some relief from my complaint. — As a supple- 
ment to these I went in the afternoon to the real 
Vauxhall, and drank two glasses of wine and water. 
— By means of this remedy I enjoy 'd the lu.xury of 
breathing, l>ut withal discovei'd tliat it had brought 



180 ALEXANDER ANDERSON, M.D. 

Oil some o'iddiness, altliDiiirli not eii()U2:li to make me 
stagger. — I \veut off rejoicing in my success, Ijiit I 
might have l)eeii condemii'd as a wine-bibber by a 
person ignorant of the animal economy. 

4tli. Sunchiy. In tlie afternoon I was again gasp- 
ing for breath, and again (sad alternative) went to 
Vauxhall and drank half a pint of wine. — It had as 
good an effect as the former. — 

This may appear as the conimencemeiit of a hab- 
it of drinking. — God forbid ! — I have reason to think 
that I have by this means escaped the attack of tits, 
to which I am certaiidy disposed Ijy the slighter 
affections of that kind in the night. 

13th. This day we spent at our new place of resi- 
dence."' I went to market early in the morning 
and brought home a leg of lamb and green peas 
which furnish'd our dinner, with the help of some 
strawberries tfec. ! I engaged a little girl (Jane 
More) to do house work at two dollars a mouth. — 
She enter'd upon her service this morning. 

20th. This afternoon, according to arrangement, 
a party was to be made up for a lide to Belle-vue. 
This was chiefly for the sake of gratifying my 
(Jrand-niother, who, with my Father and Mother, 

* 45 BuL'kmau Street. 



AIM'KNIHX B. \Ki 

callM oil US with ii ciU'riage alxmt ■'> OVlitck. W'e 
stc'p[)"d ill after leaving Helen with the eare of the 
house. Soon reaeliM I^elle-\ue. ( )1(1 Fishei' is i-e- 
oovering. We [)idcur"(l some chen'ies, and, alter 
viewing the beauties of tlu' situatiou, set oft" again; 
and next seated ourselves at Palmer's about 6 or 7 
miles from town. — Here we had coHVe. Keturird 
between 7 and s ( )'cloek. 

i'C)tli. This forenoon 1 hail a long walk under a 
hot sun; to the Ship-yards, to Dr. Voungs and fiom 
that ujt the Post-road to see a patient near Potter's 
field. — I was eniploy'd there thro' the means of 
Marshall the (irave-digger. — (It is not the tirst 
time Physicians and (Jrave-diggei's have thrown 
business into each other's hands.) 

July 1-. M} mind has been occupied with a 
scheme which may appear a piece of jiresuniption in 
such a no\ice in Natural History. — My scheme is, to 
establish, if piacticable, a system of I'otany on the 
Fruit of plants. — If this should turn out to be a 
frKifle-^s endeavour, it may at least serve to tliro\v 
some useful knowledge in m\ wav. 

2<>th. In the evening we had a sort of a frolic. 
My Brother came in and dressM liiinscjl' in a suit of 
Helen's clotiies, while slu^ ]iiit on a suit of mine. — 
Thus e(jui[ip'd and escorted by .1. I)ouL;all, Miss 



J 84 ALEXANDER ANDERSON, M.D. 

Jane, Mr. A. and injself, tliey took a walk, and sat 
aw'Iiile with my Mother. She did not discover the 
metamorphosis, nor had the least suspicion of the 
disguised couple who were introduced under ficti- 
tious names, 'till after they were gone. 

2<;th. I prepared a piece of Box-wood, and began 
to engi'ave a device after one of Bewick's. 

27th. I finish 'd engraving the cut and got an im- 
pression of it at Swoi'd's. C. Tiebout, who was ex- 
amining it in the evening, complimented me on the 
neatness of the work. 

21tth. I have now but little business of the medi- 
cal kind to attend to, and have therefore devoted 
some of my time to engraving. — This latter kind of 
employment has not as yet yielded any profit, for I 
have only been making experiments and practicing. — 
The beautiful specimens of JBewich's work have 
been the means of stimulating me to improve in the 
art of engraving on wood. — 

;^Oth. Sunday, it seems that my Brother, conceiv- 
ing that he had a real affection for J. V. V., had en- 
gaged himself to her, provided she would wait a 
year or two. — ¥ov some time past his conduct towards 
liei- has been much altered, cfe the following seems to 
be the cause. He had been drawing my Father's 
will, and discover'd that such an union as he in- 



APPENDIX B. 185 

tended would ])e the iiieaii8 of c-uttiiiti' liiiii oil' peu- 
uiless. What adds to tlie absurdity of bis conduct 
is that be desired my wife to acquaint Miss J. with 
the latter circumstance. 

8 1st. This day I paid 22 dollars 4 cents for real 
anil personal taxes. 

The dreadful period call'd Quarter day appi'oaches. 
T ha\e V)een drawing on the Bank, Imt the tax gatli- 
erei' has made too great a hole in the sum I had 
allotted for rent. — 

I have been planning a scheme for the publica- 
tion of children's books. Had some conversation 
with M. .VlcFarlane on that subject. 

August 4th. 1 hired a room in Fair Street* of 
Nath. Kimlierly, for £14, for the remainder of the 
year — ("till next May.) In tliis room I [iropose to 
open a Lilipufiini lioohntorc, undci- the cai'e of some 
honest young lad. — ^NIcFai'lane is to print the books, 
and I shall engrave the cuts. — I have already finish'd 
several, having spent the chief pai-t of the afternoon 
at them. — 

This project may be reckonM rather out of my 
line. 1 confess it is, liut the leisure time which this 
healthy season all<i\vs me may as well l»e spent at 
an Art which 1 have taken some i)ains to learn. 



* Now Fulton. 



186 ALEXANDTIR ANDERSON, M.L). 

My prospects of pi-otit from this uiulertukiiig are 
but small. — I shall reckon myself lucky if I can clear 
ray expenses. 

9th. I l)ouglit a log of Box-wood, at Mi-. Turk's, 
for engraving. 

I7tli. This forenoon I went to witness a spectacle 
somewhat uncommon in this city, and which on ac- 
count of its novelty drew together a great concourse 
of people. It was the execution of Mr. Youikj for 
the murder of Banoich, a sheriflF. — The unhap[iy 
criminal was turn'd off, between 11 & \'l O'clock, on 
the New-road, sui'ronnded by the soldiery. — He ap- 
pear'd composed and resigned. 

ISth. I procur'd some asbestos pajjei' from Mi-. 
Bakei', in order to make an incombustible wick to a 
lamj) ; Init could not make it answer tlie purpose. 

lilth. I have had -JOOO copies of one ])ook struck 
off, so that as soon as I can pi'ocure a lad I shall be 
ready to open my little bookstore. 

23d. Mc. Farlane show'd me a proof of the second 
little book, the workmanship of which pleased me 
very much. 

I went, according to A. Tiebout's direction, to one 
Miller, a mulatto, and applied to him for his son as 
a shop-keeper. — He infoi'iu'd nie that he had i)nt 
him to a sail-maker, on trial. — In the afternoon he 



APPENDIX B. 187 

call'tl on me, and concluded to let me have bis son 
on the following terms. — He is to attend the book- 
store and stitch the books. His pay is to be 2/ per 
day, and I am to give him some instructions in en- 
o-ravina; on wood. 

24th. This morning my lad cntcrM upon his cm- 
ployment and ap]iears to he very h.-imh at every 
])art of it. — I finishVl engi'aving th(^ cuts for another 
book, and deliver d them to ^TcFai'lane. 

25th. This afternoon, aecoi'ding to summons, T at- 
tended the Coiivt Mart nil to show cause why 1 had 
not appeared on parade. The siuhtof ui\- Certificate 
was sufficient to procuic me a dismission even liefoi'e 
tlie court had fully forniM. 

My wife and I, to^etluT with Mr. \'an \'leck's 
family, went with Capt. Merry to drink tea on Koaid 
the Triton, a Swedish brig, at Jackson's wharf. — 
Tlie two Captains were very attentive and obliging. 
— The ladies play'd on a tine Harpsiclioid which 
was placed in the cabin. Mr. Piatti, a i'oolish, con- 
ceited little Italian, was cutting capers about, and, 
after tossing down some wine, grew rather nois\-. 
Saw sevei'al views of Mount N'esuvius. — Returu'd 
home between 8 and 9 O'clock. 

September I'd. In the al'ternoon I engrav'd a cut 
to l)e ])relix'd to an advertisement in the Ai-gns. — 



\ 

188 ALEXANDER ANDEKrtON, M.D. 

It is emblematical and quite apropos to my Lilipu- 
tian Bookstore [^Several childi-eii are represented 
playing and t'svo of tliem in the act of quarreling. 
The Devil is ]>repariug to cla\v them, but is assailed 
by the spear of Miner\a Avho is at the same time 
presenting a small book t(^ the children. 

Some desponding thoughts are now and then 
popping in along with the Bookstore ; but j^y/c/e and 
■s/iaiiu' forl)id me to retreat until I have given the 
plan a fair chance. 

I'Sth. I came to a resolution of dismissing mj- 
lad, and sending my books (of which I have above 
70(M>) to my Father's Auction.* 

This was disagreeable news to the lad who was 
■fix'd in a snug lierth, and was earning ;^/every day ; 
but poor 1 had not received enough from the sales 
to pay his wages. Well, this pretty scheme of mine 
must be l)roken up, for these reasons as well as 
some others. It has Vjeen a very clever hobby-horse 
foi- me, but has almost thro^vn me in the mud, for 
the expenses have run up to £25, or thereabouts. — 
The printer has had a good job of it, & I have 
gainVl a lesson, and must have patience while the 
money comes slowly dribbling in. 

* At 77 Wall Street. 




The Biikir's Druaui. 




Pharaoh's Dream. 



APPENDIX B. 191 

21st. I met Mr. Pilinore at Jii. Post's. — He was 
displaying his oratoiy on tlie suT)ject of Citizenship, 
and inveighing against tlie importatiou of Irish emi- 
grants to the great injury of the worthy Ameiicaus. 

28th. My Bookstore scheme has cost me about 
£30. — Whether I shall ever receive my own money 
for the books is somewhat dou1)tf ul. They go off 
pretty well at my Father's. 

October 8th. Sunday. Our little servant giid 
has been dis])laying her impudence & obstinacy very 
freely today, in consequence of which we have re- 
solved to look out for another. 

12th. 1 had the pleasure to iind most of my pa- 
tients in a thriving way. — I was not so successful in 
the business of money hunting. — 

I eucjasred a little "irl to live with us — a dau"hter 
of Jacol) Rhiueheart (Public Porter), at in/ a month. 

22d. Sunday. — Dr. Del)ow intimated that he ex- 
pected I would be so obliging as to l)ail him out of 
Jail. — I inform'd him of my resolution in that liusi- 
ness, and assur'd him tliat I profess'd no friendsliip 
to any person so ardent as to injure myself. — 

2Gth. This afternoon I went to Di-. Yomig's, and 
drank tea. Was detain'd 'till near dai-k l)efore tea 
was over. — I then hui-ried off my wife and her sis- 
ters, with an expectation of getting in time to the 



192 ALEXANDER ANDERSON, M.D. 

New Circus. — On entering the Cii-cus I was sur- 
prised at the 1 jeauty of the decorations, the painting 
of the scenes and the di'esses of the actors. I was 
highly eutertain'd 'till Id (3'elock with the eques- 
trian performances and the Pantomime of Peter of 
Provence. 

November 2(ith. This evening I concluded to 
treat myself with a visit to the Theatre in Green- 
wich St. — My Father & Brother agreed to accom- 
pany me. — After drinking tea at my Mother's we 
proceeded to the Play-house, and took a convenient 
seat in the pit. Tlie Play was " All for Love, or the 
World Well Lost." — The Entertainments were 
" Shelty's Frolic" and " Harlequin's Invasion." — Be- 
tween the acts we were ol)liged to stamp with our 
feet to keep warm. 

December 4th. I made myself a soi't of busybody 
today. — I had been infdriu'd that the Bank Bills 
were to be engraven on A\ot>d by Be%oick. (in New- 
castle upon Tyne), but 1 had also been inform'd, upon 
good authoi-ity, that this celel)rated engraver was the 
person who had counterfeited the French assignats 
for the British Government. In consequence of tliis 
latter information I took the liberty to write to the 
Cashier of the New York liank, and gave him a cau- 
tion. — It may be supp(«ed that I was not uninter- 



APPENDIX B. 193 

ested in the business, as tlic job would have l)een 
very acceptablt'; but I iicv cr sliould have intcrferM 
had I not heard the story of the assignats. 

13tli. I undertook to execute a small Avooden cut 
for Mr. Kirk, Printei' ; and in the evening a young 
gentleman came to enquire Avhether I still engi'av'd, 
and employ'd me to prepai-e 4 stamps for the Post 
Office.— 

My medical business kept me stirring about dur- 
ing most of the day. 

loth. Rainy weather, but warm. I finish'd the 
Stamps and receiv'd 2 dollai's foi- them. 

'27th. In the evenino- 1 euijrav'd a wooden cut.- — 
Undertook to engrave the Title of " The Rural 
Magazine" under the employ of Tanner. — A})[)lied 
to Milns to sketch the letters in his masterly style. 

29th. I finish'd the Newspaper title this evening. 



DIARY FOK 1798. 



January 2(1. I formed a scheme for engraving a 
Skeleton on wood, of a large size, about 4 feet by 
2. — Began to execute my scheme, and for that pur- 
pose borrow'd the lai-ge edition of Albinus from Di'. 
Chickering. Pasted together some paper for di-aw- 
ing the sketch, and repair'd the book which was 
somewhat torn. 

8th. Full of a new scheme — no less than building 
a new System of Botany. — 

I delivered the patterns for my anatomical plate 
to a Cabinet-maker to have the wood prepared. 

I saw my Burlescpie Ode on tlie Five He)ixe>< in 
the " Time-piece." 

30th. I took an oatli for Debow at Mr. Kent's, 
having put up his advertisement on the Jail dt)or for 
six Mondays successively, agreeably to the x\ct of 
Insolvency. 



APPENDIX B. 195 

February 3(1. T engaged a house in Liberty St. 
of James Shaw, at £90 and taxes. 

6th. Tliis morning I Avent to the Tontine Tavern, 
and regaled myself with a view of Mr. Baker's 
painting of Gen'l Washington, by Stuart. It is 
allowed by all to l)e a masterpiece. — The music of 
the concert clock was an addition to our entertain- 
ment. — Mr. Baker was busy I'epairing a barrel organ. 

I have been very much push'd foi- money, and my 
fruitless endeavours to collect it have put me in the 
dumps. 

Stli. Very cold weather. — I spent almost the 
whole day in repairing the injury wliich the sudden 
change has done to my wooden })lates, by cracking 
them. 

10th. I made great prepai'ations in the garret for 
printing one of my plates, and in the afternoon 
])i'ocur'd a proof of it. 

liHh. I have finisliVl my weighty job of engrav- 
ing, at last, and must now set myself to work to 
print it. — My method of doing it is this : The phite 
is laid on a table in tlie garret, the paper properly 
moisteu'd is applied over it, and oii tliat some loose 
paper. Over all is placed a level board cover'd 
with flannel, and a strong pressure is applied to it 
by means of a lever. The board is then removed 



196 ALEXANDER ANDERSON, M.D. 

and all the papers except one wliicli covers the 
printed sheet ; this is rubbed with a smooth piece of 
box-wood, and the business is done. 

On the 6th of this month we engaged Nancy 
Prow as a servant, at 12/ per month. 

16th. I got another quire of large paper for print- 
ing, and made great preparations for the business. — 
Struck off a few Skeletons. 

21st. Busy at finishing off my Ijooks and printing 
Skeletons, as well as waiting on living skeletons. — 
I have been considering the means of lessening my 
expenses. In order to remove one considerable 
source, I took an opportunity at bed-time to men- 
tion to my wife the impropriety of her sister Helen's 
further stay with us, and insisted peremptorily that 
she should leave us. — ^The snbject had been canvass'd 
in my mind for some time. 1 had been press'd for 
want of money, and a sort of desperation drove me 
to this resolution, however disagreeable it might be 
to wound the feelings of one so dear to me. I had 
reason to repent my rashness ; hei- tender nature 
could not bear so rude a shock. After some expos- 
tulations with me she fell into a state of the most 
pitiful distraction, and exhibited such a deplorable 
picture of misery as would defy all attempts at 
description. 



APPENDIX B. 19£} 

I tried every means of relief, and {tartly relin- 
quished my proposal, to calm the ininil of a person 
now doubly amiable in my eyes. 

2'2d. Twas past 3 O'clock this morning before we 
clos'd our eyes. The night was stoiMiiy and every 
thing seem'd to render the scene awful. Towards 
evening it cleai'Vl up and became pleasant. My 
wife resembled a corpse this morning, but began to 
recover her health and cheerfulness by the little at- 
tentions I took pains to show her. 

March 17th. I set myself to work at sawing out 
and rasping blocks of box-wood, and in the course 
of tlie day turn'd out 84 of them. 

April 2d. Some days ago I propos'd to A. Tiebout 
the publication of Bewick's History of Quadrujieds, 
on the following terms. The Cuts, which form a 
material part of the work, were to be engrav'd on 
wood by myself at the rate of half a dollar each. — 
All other expenses were to be answer 'd by him, and 
each of us was to receive a pi'oportional share of the 
profits. — lliis evening he agreed to make trial of a 
half-sheet to be sent round with the projjosals. — 1 
began to prepare the cuts. 

May 1st. This day we entirely completed the im- 
portant business of removing.* In the afternoon I 

* To Libert)- St, 



200 ALEXANDER ANDERSON, M.D. 

went to V. Vleck's, and found myself so much worn 
out that I was oblig'd to lie down. I toss'd about 
in much pain for two hours. Mr. V. Vleck presented 
me with £10. 

9th. This day is appointed by the President for a 
Fast, Thanksgiving &c., but as my opinions did not 
exactly tally with those of his Excellency I did not 
make a holiday of it. 

14th. I cover'd about 400 books to-day. After 
tea I took a walk, and sketched off a plant. 

18th. I went into Giffings's, and got a pint of 
porter, an action rather novel to me, but dictated 
more from a desire of experiencing its effects than 
fi'om compliance with custom. 

July -Id. The little boy has lain in fits all the 
afternoon, attended with a diarrhcea and violent 
fever. — At my wife's request I went for Mr. Moore, 
and had him christen'd Jo/m Alfred. 

Thermometer at 98° in the shade. — 

3d. I was up all night trying every method for 
the relief of my little boy, Ijut in vain, for he died 
at 2 this morning.* 

At day-break I took a walk, and, happening to 
find myself near a Cabinet-maker's, 1 knock'd him 
up, and bespoke a cofiiu. 

* He was only three mouths old, having been born Ajiril 5th. 



APPENDIX B. 201 

I spent a great ])art of the day in I'luining about to 
arrange matters for tlie funeral. At 5 went off in 
a coacli with my Fatlier, Brother and Mr. Moore to 
St. Paul's Church, and saw the remains interred next 
to those of my Brother William. 

5th. I have made considerable exertions to procure 
ray wife a suit of mourning, from an expectation of 
its divertiuo; her mind. To oi)lir-e her I have worn 
a crape on my hat, though 1 disapprove the custom. 

August 29th. i\Iy wife proposes a jaunt to Bush- 
wick, Long-Island, for the recovery of her health. 

3()tli. Biisy in the moi'ning among patients. At 
11 I got a cari'iage, ami took my wife and Jane to 
Cannon's. From that we cross'd over w ith A. Tie- 
bout to Bushwiek and settled them at Mr. Skil- 
man's. 

I met Dr. Bailey in the street. — He desired me to 
look out for a Physician for Belle-vue Hospital. — I 
proposed myself, and waited on the Health Commis- 
sioners, Oothout cO ^[l>r((iiis. My proposal was ac- 
cepted, and I engaged to enter on the business to- 
morrow at £3 a day. 

I had some trouble in disposing of my patients. — 
Dr. Chickering's timidity surpris'd me. I could not 
prevail on him to attend two children labouring 
under the yellow fever. 



202 ALEXANDER ANDERSON, M.D. 

31st. This morning early I eallM on Dr. Bailey, 
and breakfasted there. As soon as the boat was 
ready, I was row'd to Belle-vue. 

About 20 patients were at the Hospital when I 
came. — 4 died in the course of the day and 14 ad- 
mitted. 

September "2(1. This morning I rode to town. 
Stopp'd in Eagle Street to see Dr. Chickering. He 
had been seized with the yellow-fever; but enter- 
tains hopes of a speedy recovery, and then he in- 
tends to practice Avithout fear. 

5th. Very busy. In the afternoon my Father 
came wp and told me that John was sick. — Dr. 
Chickering is dead ! 

8th. A heavy blow ! I saw my brother this morn- 
ing, and entertain'd hopes of his recovery. In the 
afternoon I found him deatl ! I put liini in the 
coffin, and, finding that the funeral \voTdd be delay'd 
'till (lark, I left my poor parents sti-uggling with 
their fate, and returned to Belle-vue. 

Thus died an amiable brother, untainted with the 
vices of the world, and ill-suited to struggle with its 
trials. 

10th. This morning I found my Father so ill that 
I could not think of remaining any longer at the 
Hosjiital. — I settled matters as well as I could for 



APPENDIX B. 203 

the conveiiienre of Mr. Douglas,* and came down 
with Dr. Bailey in the boat. 

11th. Ill the evening Alderman Furman sent for 
me, and inforniM me that I was a|i[ii)iiited one ot" 
the Physicians for the jioor. 

I enter'd on my new office l)y visiting one patient 
in a damp cellar. 

12th. " Thy shaft flew thrice, and thrice my peace 
was sLain." My Father dieil at half after 4 tliis 
morning. 

I put him in the cotHii with the assistance of my 
Mother who show'd moi'e than heroic fortitude on 
this melancholy occasion. 

In the afteriKMHi I went to IJiishwick, and met 
with as great a shock. — The sight of my wife, ghastly 
and emaciated, constantly coughing tfe spitting, struck 
me with horror. I returnM to my Mother's with a 
heavy heart. 

18th. This morning I heard of the death of my 
wife ! Those who knew her worth may imagine 
my feelings. At 1 O'clock I set off ^^•ith Mr. & Mrs. 
V. Vleck and Polly for Bushwick. We first got <m 
board a boat at the Fly-Market, Imt tinding that we 
should be detainVl near the Ship-yards while taking 

* nis assistant at the Uospital. 



204 ALEXANDER ANDERSON, M.D. 

iu some boards I persuaded tliera to get out and 
walk to Corlear's-hook.* There we got a lioat, and 
soon cross'd over. — The Joinei', with his new-fash- 
ion'd coffin, detain'd us 'till towards evening. We 
follow'd the remains of my dear Ann to the grave, 
about a mile distant. 

14th. Immers'd in business. I prevailVl on my 
Mother to remove to my house, and found her more 
lively. 

I feel surprised at my own composure, and am 
rather disposed to impute it to despair than resig- 
nation. 

18th. The Police engaged to pay for my horse 
and chair.f — I was in danger of making a very un- 
successful beginning with it. I left the chair at the 
door of one of my patients, and while I was busy 
in the house the horse ha<l drawn it farther on and 
was just ready to crush the thigh of a child, when I 

* Now the foot of (Irand Street and the East River. 

f This usage of the word chair is now uncommon ; but we 
find the following definition in Webster's Dictionary : " Chair, 
a vehicle for one person ; either a sedan borne upon poles, or 
a two-wheeled carriage, drawn by one horse, a gig." The 
more usual name chaise is derived from it through the French, 
by cliauging r into s, in accordance with a peculiar Parisian 
pronunciation {chaise for chaire). 



APPENDIX B. 205 

snatch'd it from under, and was bappy to find it un- 
hurt. 

21st. My Mothei' died at lo this morning. "I 
never shall look upon her like again." 

I resign'd the business of the Police, for 1 find 
that hurry, at this time, is death to me. 

24tli. Mrs. V. Vleck's case is one which shocks 
and surprises me. After lying in a moisture yester- 
day, with the appearance of recovery, she fell into 
a state of insensil)i]ity this morning — had the black 
vomit, and died at 4 in the after-noon. 

DiscouragVl with my business, l)ut deteriaiii'd to 
hold out while the Epidemic continues. 

October 12th. Polly* died this moi-ning at ;i 
O'clock. I had her remains interred in the Moravi- 
an Church-yard before 9. Ferguson and I followVl. 

1 3th. I slept at my Fathei'-in-law's last night, and 
endeavour to spend as much time as possible with 
his famil)^, now reduc'd to himself and Jane. — Hel- 
en is at Bethlehem. 

22d. I have now an opportunity of leaving town, 
since my patients are reduced to 5. 

At ! 1 I took my seat in the Boston Mail, and 
was soon join'd by Dr. Bayard. — A son of Mars was 

* His sistei--iu-la\v. 



206 ALEXANDER ANDERSON, M.D. 

another of our coinpauy — a personage of great con- 
sequence in his own opinion. 

Diu'd at Kingsbridge. — Supp'd at Marenner's at 
Rye where we shall expect a nap. 

23d. I got a short nap last night, and was rous'd 
at 5 this morning. 

About 8 arrived at Stamford, and breakfasted at 
the Post Office, waiting for the rain to cease. 

I soon hurried on, and was Joyfully receiv'd by 
my Aunt* &, Grandmother, and in a friendly man- 
ner by my Uncle, who is such an old young man 
that he never vibrates to the point of Joy. 

25th. I took leave of my kind relations, and 
stepp'd into the stage in the afternoon. Supp'd at 
Rye. 

26th. Had a restless night. — Was rous'd about 4, 
and resum'd my seat. Breakfasted at Kingsbridge. 
— Went to the top of a hill near Fort Washington, 
and enjoy'd a fine prospect. About 12 arrived in 
town. 

November oth. I have a convenient room at V. 
Vleck's, and am to board with the family at the ex- 
pense of providing part of the wood and winter pro- 
visions. 

* Mrs. Davenport. 



APPENDIX li. 207 

7th. The furniture, witli :i liox of plate and 
about six hundred pounds in flie Bank, was the 
whole property of which my Father was pos- 
sess'd. 

Decendjer 7th. 1 find that the; advice is very good 
which recommends it to a person to sleep on a ]U'oj- 
ect. Last nitrht I had almost concluded on under- 
taking the publication of the Qaadrnpeds ; — but 
now, find there are other ol)stacles besides an ex- 
pense of almost £300. — 

I intended to confine myself to wood-engraving; 
but C. Tiebout wishes me to undertake a map, and 
I cannot resist the offer. — I began to di-aw a female 
anatomical figure from Duverney. — 

15th. Aunt Carpender requested me to stand 
Godfather to Buel's child. — I 2:)romised at once, but 
after seeing the form of baptism went back and re- 
canted. 

23d. Sunday. I infring'd upon my general rule 
and labour'd at the map all day — except in the after- 
noon, when 1 took a walk with C. and A. Tiebout 
to a short distance from town, & pitch'd a few flip- 
flaps in the snow. 

24th. This morning A. T. and myself concluded 
on a Journey to Stamford. — After hurrying, (con- 
trary to my system) I got ready by 11, and we seat- 



208 ALEXANDER ANDERSON, M.D. 

ed ourselves iu the Boston Mail Stage.* — The sleigh- 
ing was very good — and we glided as far as Maren- 
ner's at Rye by 5 in the aftei'noon. — This was to be 
onr resting place 'till morning, and a consnltation 
Avas held to detei'inine a method for spending the 
long evening. — I went with pai't of the company 
to the Chni-ch, and heard part of the service. When 
we return'd Marenner inform'd ns that the Oivli 
sl/eU was come. — It ^vas strung left-handed, so that 
none of us could handle it ))ut the owner, and we 
wei'e oldio-ed to hear the old neii^ro nnirder some 
tunes in cold blood. — In oi'der that they might not 
all be heard in cold I)lood a dance was propos'd, in 
which Roosevelt and the pistol Knglishman acquit- 
ted themselves very well. We two old fellows 
were obliged to fall in and shuffle. 

25th. The dancing, or the cider, or some other 
cause, prevented my sleeping more than an hour oi' 
so, last night. I was talking and \vhistling, between 

* Tlie stages running between Boston and New York car- 
ried the mails, and left here every Wednesday and Friday. 
The time occupied in reaching New Haven alone was twenty- 
six hours, and Hartford, forty-two hours ; in a word, the 
whole trip was performed, from No. 50 Oortlandt Street to 
Boston city, in seventy-seven hours. Doubtless the route had 
the aspect of a wilderness, and the roads, inconsequence, were 
I'ough and hilly. 



APPENDIX B. 209 

sleeping and waking, so that my fellow lodgers could 
not have rested nuicli lietter. 

We resumed our seats al)out 5 this morning, and 
ai'i-ived eai'ly in Stamford. Went into the kitchen 
immediately, and found my Gi'and-mother and 
Phyllis making & Tjaking pies. — My Aunt and Mr. 
Davenport were soon rousYl, and gave us a hearty 
welcome — After breakfast we took a walk to the 
landing, hut could find no hoat ready to sail. 

Din'd, in company with several, at my Aunt's, 
and at '^ took leave of them and statiun'd ourselves 
at the Post-Office to wait for the staere. The sta^e 
came along, hut, alas, tliere was no room for us. — 
Determin'd to get home by some means, we set off 
on foot, and at 5 reach'd Ilorse-neck. At a tavern, 
where we stopp'd for a drink, we lieai'd of a boat 
ready to sail in the morning. — This was joyfid news 
& we ate a hearty sup[)ur on the strength of it. — 
We were shown the head of the lane which led to 
the place, Indian liarboui', and, after following it 
near two miles, found tlie slooj) taking in her lad- 
ing. The caliin wastill'd with men and women, or 
rather imitations of men & women — for their con- 
versation was of the lowest kind. AVe found out a 
berth, and hope to get a little sleep. — 

2(;th. I had an excellent nap notwithstanding the 



210 



ALEXANDEU ANDERSON, M.D. 



noise iu the cal>in and the music of half a dozen 
game cocks stowed in the lockers. — At day -light we 
found ourselves under way iu the sound — with a 
gentle breeze and the weather overcast. ^NlessM 
with the l)oatmeu, and made ourselves as contented 
as possible 'till 4 in the after-noon, when we landed 
once more in our beloved old city. 

31st. Engraving wooden cuts. Spent [)art of the 
evening at R. Davis's, and saw'd away on the Violin 
for him. — 

As my head is not very fertile at present I can 
make but few remarks on this past year. 

A tremendous scene have I witnessed, — biit yet I 
have reason to thank the great Author of my ex- 
istence, and am still convinced that " Whatever is, 
is right." I make no petition for the ensuing year. 




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